Alberta's historic heat wave last summer responsible for 66 deaths: report
A report presented to Calgary councillors on Wednesday revealed dozens of people perished when a historic heatwave hit Alberta last summer.
The June 2021 heatwave saw dozens of record highs set throughout the province, including new record all-time highs in areas like Banff, Cochrane, Grande Prairie and Jasper.
A disaster risk report presented to members of Calgary's Emergency Management Committee on Wednesday, indicated the heatwave resulted in an estimated 66 deaths across the province.
"Alberta recorded new summertime highs for energy consumption, water demand was 1.5 times the five-year average, and the heatwave resulted in an estimated 66 deaths," the 2021 disaster risk report stated.
The report noted Calgary experienced five days in a row of temperatures greater than 30 C and two days reaching 36.3 C, the second highest temperature ever recorded in the city.
During the heatwave, cooling centres were set up across Calgary, lodging locations were created for people living in unsafe residences, water was delivered to vulnerable populations and an extreme heat annex was to the city's Municipal Emergency Plan.
"Climate models expect that these types of extreme heat events – more frequent high-heat days, drier summers, and multi-year droughts - will be more frequent in the future as a result of a changing climate," the reported noted.
A new disaster risk assessment will be completed in 2022, at which time a new report will be presented to Calgary committee members and released publicly.
CTVNews.ca Top Stories
Helicopter carrying Iran's president found by rescue teams: Iran official
Rescuers on Monday found a helicopter that was carrying Iranian President Ebrahim Raisi, which had crashed in the mountainous northwest reaches of Iran the day before.
Court eases internet restrictions for Sask. man who matched with a 15-year-old girl on Tinder
A Saskatchewan man who had a sexual encounter with a 15-year-old girl he met on Tinder successfully appealed to shorten release conditions barring him from online dating.
Stittsville residents seeking answers as bylaw cracks down on street basketball nets
Stittsville residents on Kearnsley Way are seeking answers after an unusual bylaw crackdown on Friday. Every home with a basketball net received a ticket instructing homeowners to remove their nets from the road.
'A horrible way to start the summer': 3 killed in serious boat crash on lake north of Kingston, Ont.
Three people were killed and five others were injured Saturday night following a boat crash on the Buck Bay area of Bobs Lake, north of Kingston, Ont., the Ontario Provincial Police (OPP) said.
What do we know so far about the mysterious crash of the helicopter carrying Iran's president?
The apparent crash of a helicopter carrying Iran's president and foreign minister on Sunday sent shock waves around the region.
Ex-partner charged with first-degree murder after 55-year-old woman killed in Montreal
Less than 24 hours after Montreal's 12th homicide investigation began, Montreal police confirmed that a 55-year-old woman's death in St. Michel is the island's 13th homicide. The woman's ex-spouse has been charged with first-degree murder.
Walmart, Costco refusing to sign grocery code of conduct 'untenable': industry minister
Industry Minister Francois-Philippe Champagne says it's 'untenable' for 'smaller players' like Walmart and Costco to delay signing on to the government- and industry-led grocery code of conduct, now that industry giant Loblaw has agreed to do so.
VIDEO Born without front legs, this dog has been inspiring the world for 3 years: Dresden farm owner
A sanctuary dedicated to animals with disabilities is celebrating the third birthday of one of its most popular residents.
Toxic drugs circulating in northeastern Ont., police say
Canada’s largest First Nations police service, the Nishnawbe Aski Police Service issued a community safety alert as extremely toxic drugs are likely circulating in many of the communities it serves.