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Anoka County 2019 Multi-Jurisdictional All Hazards Mitigation Plan 79 84B4.2.1.6 Severe Weather - Drought Drought occurs when water supplies cannot meet established demands. Severe drought conditions endanger livestock and crops and significantly reduce surface and ground water supplies, increasing the potential risk for wildfires, and causing significant economic loss. Drought may not be constant or predictable and does not begin or end on any schedule. Long-term droughts last for periods of two to ten years. Droughts are classified as the following types: • Meteorological drought is defined by the level of “dryness” when compared to an average, or normal, amount of precipitation over a given period of time. • Agricultural drought relates characteristics of drought to specific agricultural- related impacts. Emphasis is placed on factors such as soil water deficits, water needs based on differing stages of crop development, and water reservoir levels. • Hydrological drought is directly related to the effect of precipitation shortfalls on surface and groundwater supplies. Changes in land use can alter the hydrologic characteristics of a basin. • Socio-economic drought is the result of water shortages that limit the ability to supply water-dependent products in the marketplace. 85B4.2.1.7 Severe Weather - Extreme Temperature Extreme heat is defined as temperatures that hover ten degrees or more above the average high temperature for the region and last for several weeks. Health risks from extreme heat include heat cramps, heat fainting, heat exhaustion and heat stroke. According to the National Weather Service, heat is the leading weather-related killer in the United States and has killed more people than lightning, tornadoes, floods, and hurricanes combined in the last 10 years. The effects of extreme heat are: Heat Stroke: Body’s inability to control its temperature. Temperature will rise rapidly. Sweating does not occur. This can cause permanent disability. Highest risk populations include outdoor laborers, elderly, children, and people with poor health. Heat Exhaustion: Occurs when there is an excessive loss of water and salt released in sweat. Those at highest risk include the elderly, people with high blood pressure, outdoor laborers, and those exercising outdoors. Heat Syncope: Results in a sudden loss of consciousness, which generally returns when the person lies down. There is little or no permanent harm as a result of heat syncope. This disorder is usually associated with people who are not properly acclimated to the weather. Heat Cramps: Occurs as a result of a mild fluid and electrolyte imbalance and generally ceases to be a problem after becoming accustomed to the heat. This occurs in people who exercise outdoors when they are not used to the activity. 86B4.2.1.8 Severe Weather - Thunderstorms Thunderstorms are formed from a combination of moisture, rapidly rising warm air, and a force capable of lifting air (such as a sea breeze, a warm and cold front, or a mountain).