Environment Canada has extended a heat warning for the Montreal area, with temperatures expected to feel like the low 40s with the humidex through Friday. The warning, issued early Thursday, covers Metro Montreal, Laval and the Vaudreuil area. The area is also under a severe thunderstorm watch. Environment Canada warns that nautical activities may be hazardous due to sudden, severe wind gusts over bodies of water. “Heavy rains can cause flash floods and cause flooding. Please exercise caution around waterways in case of heavy rain,” the weather agency warned. Urgences-santé received few calls on heat Urgences-santé told CTV News in an email that it received “few calls” directly related to the heat wave in Montreal. “Regarding the number of hospitalizations, treatments or deaths related to the current heat event, Urgences-santé is unable to provide confirmed figures, as patient outcomes after transport and public health surveillance data fall under the responsibility of our healthcare and public health partners,” Urgences-santé said in an email. According to the provincial medical emergency service, extreme heat can lead to dehydration, heat exhaustion, heat stroke, fainting episodes, and the exacerbation of pre-existing medical conditions. Older adults, young children, pregnant women, people living alone, individuals experiencing homelessness and those with chronic health conditions are among those most at risk, Urgences-santé wrote. The agency is encouraging residents to take simple preventive measures to reduce the risk of heat-related illnesses, including drinking water regularly, limiting intense physical activity during the hottest hours of the day — between noon and 5 p.m. — seeking air-conditioned or shaded areas whenever possible and checking in on vulnerable family members, friends and neighbours. “Our teams remain fully mobilized and continue to respond to calls from the population,” Urgences-santé wrote in an email. “Should the situation evolve significantly, we will provide updates as appropriate.” Ottawa hit by major rainfall The sweltering conditions come following a hot, and in some places volatile, Canada Day, when severe thunderstorms swept across southern Quebec, prompting a brief tornado alert in the Lanaudière and Laurentians regions and forcing the cancellation of evening festivities in Ottawa. As of Wednesday, Environment Canada said roughly 110 millimetres of rain had fallen at the Ottawa Airport. At one point, Hydro One in Ontario was reporting 168,000 customers in the dark. Hydro-Quebec also reported that a little more than 10,000 homes and businesses were off the grid. As of Wednesday morning, that number was down to about 4,20 address, with 2,300 of those in the Outaouais region. READ MORE: Heat wave gripping much of Ontario, Quebec tracks east to Maritime provinces Sweltering heat Daytime highs in Montreal are forecast to reach 31 to 33 C on Thursday and Friday, with humidex values between 40 and 42. Overnight lows between 20 and 24 C will offer little relief. Cooler, less humid conditions are expected to move in Saturday. Watch out for at-risk individuals The weather agency is urging people to check on older adults, those living alone and other at-risk individuals multiple times a day, either in person or by phone. Early signs of heat exhaustion include headache, nausea, dizziness, thirst, dark urine and intense fatigue. Anyone experiencing these symptoms should stop their activity and drink water. Heat stroke — marked by red and hot skin, dizziness, nausea, confusion or a change in consciousness — is a medical emergency. Environment Canada says to call 911 immediately and try to cool the person down while waiting for help by moving them to a cool place, removing extra clothing and applying cold water or ice packs. To stay safe during the heat, officials recommend: Montrealers without air conditioning can visit one of the city’s cooling centres, pools or splash pads. A list of locations is available on the City of Montreal’s website. READ MORE: Where to cool off in Montreal: every public pool, wading pool and splash pad, mapped - With files from The Canadian Press
