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Eugene -Springfield Area Natural Hazards Mitigation Plan 2. Hazard Descriptions Severe Heat Severe heat incidents are possible, though historically rare, in Eugene and Springfield. When they do occur, severe heat incidents tax utility systems and endanger the health of some citizens, particularly the elderly, the very young, and those with compromised health. Heat is the number one weather related killer in the United States.35 Heat related illnesses include heat cramps, exhaustion, and stroke. Heat stroke is a life -threatening condition. Generally, a period of severe heat, often referred to as a "heat wave," is caused by a trapped or stagnant air pattern. The air mass does not move, but rather remains in an area, progressively warming. This is commonly seen when high-pressure systems push air downward preventing it from rising to cooler portions of the atmosphere. 2.4.2 Climate Change Climate change will affect all four of these weather incidents, although the extent and severity of these affects are unknown. Climate change is expected to increase both summertime high and low temperatures, thereby reducing the natural cooling of homes, buildings, and heat absorbing surfaces such as concrete and asphalt.31 Most residents in Eugene and Springfield lack mechanical cooling systems, putting them at greater risk of heat illnesses during an extreme heat incident. 2.4.3 History of the Hazard in Eugene -Springfield Thunderstorms Lightning can occur in conjunction with thunderstorms in the Eugene -Springfield area (Picture 2-2). Lightning damage to buildings or infrastructure is generally minor and few practical mitigation alternatives are applicable to lightning, other than installing lightning arrestors on critical facilities subject to lightning damage. In Oregon, casualties from lightning are very low, with a total of 7 deaths and 19 injuries reported over a 35-year period.37 The level of risk posed by lightning strikes is very low. Public education about safe practices during electrical storms is the only available mitigation measure. ae Borden, Kevin A., and Susan L. Cutter. "Spatial patterns of natural hazards mortality in the United States." International Journal ofHealth Geographics7, no. 64. December 2008. https://ii- healthgeogral)hics.biomedeentral.com/articles/10. I 186/1476-072X-7-64 36 United States. Oregon Department of Land Conservation and Development The Oregon Climate Change Adaptation Framework December 2010. Accessed August 2019. httos://www.oregon.gov/lcd/Publications/Climate Change Adaptation Framework 2010.pdf 37 United States. NOAA National Weather Service. Lightning Deaths by State. Accessed August, 2019. httl)s://www.weather.gov/cae/lightningdeaths.htmI 2-23 January 2020