As various areas across the province deal with extreme heat warnings, St. Albert has activated its Vulnerable Population Weather Response to protect members of the community, including the unhoused.
The city begins a coordinated response when daytime temperatures are expected to reach 29 C or higher, and when nighttime temperatures are expected to remain 14 C or higher.
Environment Canada's forecast projects St. Albert's high temperatures to remain through the rest of the week, with a high for 32 C forecasted for Aug. 30.
The city's website has a list of facilities where residents can go if they don't have access to air conditioning of their own. The facilities are:
- St. Albert Place
- Servus Credit Union Place
- Fountain Park Recreation Centre
- St. Albert Public Library (both Jensen Lakes and the St. Albert Place locations)
- St. Albert Food Bank and Community Village
St. Albert Place and the library located within will only be available until Aug. 28 at 11:00 p.m., then closed for construction until Sept. 6.
The Community Village offers a short-term cooling location, temporary accommodations, shower and washroom facilities, food and water. Staff may also assist with finding overnight shelter.
St. Albert Transit drivers will also allow people to board the bus to cool down at no cost if they are unable to pay during extremely hot weather. Express buses will stop at bus stops normally served by St. Albert Transit "non-express" routes, if an individual motions that they wish to board.
They ask residents to call 911 if they see someone in medical distress. If they are concerned about someone who is vulnerably unhoused, they can call the St. Albert Food Bank, City of St. Albert Community Services, or the non-emergency RCMP line.
The city's tips to stay safe during extreme heat are:
- Drink plenty of water.
- Never leave people or pets inside a parked vehicle, especially in direct sunlight.
- Avoid working or exercising intensely in the heat or humidity.
- Wear sunscreen and dress for the weather.
- Take cool showers or baths or visit an air-conditioned public space if your home is too hot.
- Prepare meals that don't need to be heated with appliances that will increase the indoor temperatures, like an oven.
The response is in effect from Aug. 25-30, and will be extended if the weather conditions remain extremely hot beyond that time frame.
