By Graeme MacKay, The Hamilton Spectator – Thursday, July 18, 2013
Eastern Canada swelters
Quebec health officials are investigating two deaths they say may be connected to the searing heat that has blanketed both Ontario and Quebec.
Richard Massé, the director of Montreal’s public health service, has confirmed that one person died Tuesday, but the person had other health problems and was in a private institution. Officials are unsure whether the death is linked to the heat.
Another death was reported Wednesday in Montreal, and officials are investigating it in connection with the soaring temperatures. Massé is urging people to look out for each other.
A severe thunderstorm left more than 9,000 households and businesses without power in Montreal. At least half of those have since been restored to power.
The temperature dropped 10 degrees in less than 45 minutes as the storm rolled into the city.
Residents prepared for possible flash flooding as Environment Canada issued a severe thunderstorm warning for Montreal on Wednesday afternoon.
In Ontario, Ottawa and Hamilton endured a heat wave Wednesday, as a third straight day of high temperatures baked parts of southern Quebec and Ontario.
“Humidex values in southern Ontario will be between 40 to 45,” said CBC meteorologist Jay Scotland, with Ottawa likely having its hottest day of the year — expected to hit the mid-40s.
“North and northeastern Ontario and southern Quebec could experience some severe thunderstorms late in the afternoon and evening.” (Source: CBC News)