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Lamar County Multi- Jurisdictional Hazard Mitigation Plan <br />Chapter Three <br />7. SECONDARY HAZARDS <br />Extreme high temperatures can cause droughts, water shortages, increase fire danger, and prompt <br />excessive demands for energy. The possibility of rolling blackouts is increased with <br />unseasonably high temperatures in what is normally mild month with low power demands. This <br />was the case for the Dallas area in April 2006. Damage to property during extreme heat can be <br />related to expanding and contracting soil (See section "Expansive Soils "). Another secondary <br />hazard is air pollution in summer months resulting from consistent high temperatures and <br />stagnant airflows. There are several impacts on transportation documented in case studies. <br />Aircraft lose lift at high temperatures. Phoenix airport has been closed due to periods of extreme <br />heat that made aircraft operations unsafe. Highways and roads are damaged by excessive heat. <br />Asphalt roads soften. Concrete roads have been known to "explode" lifting three foot wide <br />pieces of concrete. During the 1980 heat wave hundreds of miles of highways buckled (NOAH, <br />1980). Stress is placed on automobile cooling systems, diesel trucks and railroad locomotives. <br />This leads to an increase in mechanical failures. Train rails develop sun kinks and distort. <br />Refrigerated goods experience a significant greater rate of spoilage due to extreme heat. <br />8. OVERALL SUMMARY OF VULNERABILITY AND IMPACTS <br />The term Heat wave evokes thoughts of southern climates with the aridity of Phoenix or <br />the subtropical humidity of New Orleans. Yet, extreme heat is a hazard that can affect all of <br />us in any part of the country. Lamar County in the last 10 years there has been 6 <br />documented extreme heat events with a total of XX deaths resulting. These extreme heat <br />events occurred in July and August. The severity of the extreme heat is dependent on <br />temperature and humidity. High temperatures and high humidity can result in dangerous <br />condtions that expose people to an increased risk of heat stroke and other heat related <br />illnesses. The most vulnerable population is the elderly, young children and those who are <br />sick, overweight, or who work outside. Extreme heat can also cause stress on livestock and <br />other agricultural productions. <br />74 <br />