Heat returns after storm pummels Montreal with almost 100 mm of rain

Storm clouds move across the sky as Environment Canada issued tornado warnings Thursday, July 13, 2023 in Montreal. (Christinne Muschi/The Canadian Press)

The hot temperatures are back with a vengeance this week after a storm hit the Greater Montreal area with almost 100 mm of rain.

Environment and Climate Change Canada (ECCC) has issued a heat warning for the week, with maximum temperatures ranging between 31 and 33 degrees Celsius, and high humidity resulting in humidex values up to 40 on Tuesday and Wednesday.

READ MORE: Power outages, flight delays, flooded roads: storm wreaks havoc in Montreal

“Nights will be warm, with minimum temperatures ranging between 20 and 23 degrees Celsius,” adds the agency.

This comes after preliminary data from ECCC estimates that between 70 and 100 mm of rain fell on Sunday in Montreal.

Between 80 and 110 mm of rain hit the North Shore, and between 40 and 70 mm fell on the South Shore.

At the height of the storm, about 100,000 Hydro-Quebec customers were without power.

By Monday morning, that number was fewer than 5,000.

• READ MORE: How to keep that air conditioner working during Montreal’s extreme heat

The storm caused flooding and power outages across the province.

Heat warnings are issued when very high temperatures or humidity pose an elevated risk of heat illnesses, such as heat stroke or heat exhaustion.

Heat safety

High body temperatures can cause grave injury or lead to death.

The Quebec Health Ministry is asking people to take precautions during the hot weather:

• Drink six to eight glasses of water a day before feeling thirsty;
• Avoid alcoholic beverages or caffeine;
• Spend at least two hours a day in an air-conditioned or cool place;
• Take at least one cool shower or bath, or cool your skin with wet towels;
• Limit physical activity;
• Wear light clothes.

Signs of heat illness include swelling, rash, cramps, fainting, heat exhaustion, heat stroke and the worsening of some health conditions.

“Reduce your heat risk,” Environment and Climate Change Canada notes. “Schedule outdoor activities during the coolest parts of the day.”

Anyone with health-related questions is encouraged to call Info-Santé at 811.

In case of emergency, call 911.

Child safety

• Never leave a child unattended in a vehicle, even if the windows are partially open.
• Do not let your children play in an unattended vehicle.
• Make a habit of looking in the vehicle, front and back, before locking the door and walking away.
• Make sure your childcare provider knows to call you if your child has not been dropped off at their usual time.
• Always place an item (such as a purse) in the backseat so you have to open the door each time you leave the vehicle.
• Keep a large stuffed animal in your child’s car seat when it is not occupied. When your child is in the car, put the stuffed animal in the front passenger seat.
• When you arrive at your destination, avoid any distractions, including talking on the phone or texting.
• If you see a child alone in a vehicle, call the police.
• If they are in distress due to the heat, get them out as quickly as possible and call 911 immediately.

Pool safety

In Quebec, one child a day arrives in an emergency room for drowning or near-drowning during the summer, according to the Montreal Children’s Hospital.

In the last 30 years, the MCH trauma centre says it has seen more than 400 drownings and near-drownings.

Data show that 73 per cent of the incidents occurred in residential pools, park pools, aquatic centres and water parks.

Some ways to prevent drowning hazards:

• Constant adult supervision: undistracted and attentive surveillance of children, meaning no screens, books, chatting or drinking alcohol;
• The supervising adult should be within arm’s reach of anyone with weak swimming skills;
• Swimming lessons are encouraged;
• CPR (cardiopulmonary resuscitation) training is recommended;
• Never swim alone, regardless of age;
• Know the swimming skill level of those around you.