What are extreme weather events?
Extreme weather events are the worst kinds of weather – blizzards and ice storms, tornadoes, hurricanes, severe thunderstorms, heavy rains, hail storms and droughts. Floods, devastation and fires are often the result. Over the past few years, Canada has seen an increasing number of these traumatic events like the Red River Flood in Manitoba in the spring of 1997, and the ice storm in Eastern Ontario and Western Quebec in 1998. The insurance industry paid out close to $100 billion in weather-related claims during the 1990s, four times the amount paid out in the 1980s. While there is no direct proof that these severe weather events were a result of climate change, scientists tell us that as the climate warms over the next century, storms could become more frequent and severe. What are the dangers? Injury and death are immediate risks from extreme weather Floods increase the chances of drowning. High winds can cause injury and death from flying debris and collapsed buildings. Lightening c
