Heat wave red alert: what difference does it make?

A late heatwave with temperature peaks that pass above the symbolic bar of 40°C has been installed for a few days in three quarters of France. But since Monday, the heat wave peaks are multiplying and Météo France has activated red vigilance in 19 departments (Ain, Loire, Isère, Lozère, Gard, Vaucluse, Hérault, Aveyron, Tarn, Tarn-et-Garonne, Aude, Lot, Lot-et-Garonne, Haute-Garonne, Gers, Ardèche, Drôme, Haute-Loire and Rhône). What does this change from orange vigilance to red vigilance mean?

Red vigilance: an intense and long-lasting heat wave

The device of heat wave vigilance was launched by Météo France and the health authorities almost 20 years ago, the day after the 2003 heat wave, which caused the premature death of 15,000 people. Four levels of vigilance (green, yellow, orange and red) have been created in order to prevent the health consequences of episodes of high heat.

• The level of green vigilance is activated automatically from June 1 to August 31 of each year. It corresponds to the launch of the watch by Public Health France. While the first warnings about strong seasonal heat are announced by a level of yellow vigilance.
• The level of orange vigilance, which currently concerns 49 departments, corresponds to the “heat wave alert” triggered by the prefects. Risk prevention messages are widely disseminated in the departments concerned and “blue plans” are launched in establishments welcoming the elderly or disabled (we monitor their temperature and their good hydration).
• The level of red vigilancemeanwhile, corresponds to a exceptional heat wave, very intense and long-lasting, with collateral effects on the supply of drinking water, forest fires, drought. It also warns of possible consequences on the saturation of hospitals or funeral directors and on the need to adjust working hours or to stop certain activities.

A level of vigilance that concerns everyone

During periods of red vigilance, temperatures can approach and even exceed 40°C. And everyone is threatened, even “healthy subjects”, emphasizes Météo-France, which calls for extreme attention for the youngest and people at risk.

This is how the leisure centers or summer camps in the departments concerned by red vigilance will have to stop all outdoor activities with children. Planned sporting events must be postponed or cancelled, as well as cultural gatherings.

Red heat wave vigilance: what should be done?

In red vigilance, the health authorities recall the rules to follow:

• Drink plenty of water (at least 1.5 L of water per day) and eat normally, favoring foods that hydrate
• Refresh your body by wetting it several times a day
• Spend at least 2 or 3 hours a day in a cool place and avoid going out during the hottest hours
• Limit physical activities

And, of course, to hear from the elderly people around him.

There red alert for heat wave has already been triggered by Météo France and Public Health France for the first time in June and July 2019, then in August 2020, in June and July 2022. But this is the first time that it has been triggered so late, after the August 15th.