CERI – Interim assessment and call for vigilance

Following the recent period of intense heat with temperatures reaching up to 40°C, and in view of weather forecasts predicting a risk of locally severe thunderstorms during the night from Sunday to Monday, the Cell for the evaluation of storm and flood risks (CERI), meeting on Sunday morning, provides an interim assessment of the situation and calls on the public to maintain a high level of vigilance.

Operational situation: sustained and anticipatory mobilisation

Since last weekend, operational activity of the Corps grand-ducal d'incendie et de secours (CGDIS) has increased significantly (+70%), with a marked intensification towards the end of the week, mainly in the area of emergency medical assistance.

Thanks to coordinated anticipation between the various stakeholders, additional resources have been mobilised, including ambulances from the Luxembourg Army and accredited relief organisations such as the Red Cross and Luxambulance.

In the healthcare sector, an increase in emergency department visits linked to high temperatures has been observed. At this stage, the situation remains globally under control despite the increased workload.

CERI underlines that, in accordance with the principles of the governmental "severe weather and flood" plan, anticipation, coordination and close cooperation between administrations, emergency services and public authorities have made it possible to ensure an effective and proportionate response.

Expected thunderstorms: increased vigilance required

According to MeteoLux forecasts, there is a risk of locally strong thunderstorms during the night from Sunday to Monday. These phenomena may be accompanied by gusts of wind, heavy rainfall and lightning strikes, potentially causing local damage and disruptions.

In this context, CERI calls on the public to take preventive measures and exercise particular caution, notably:

• secure items sensitive to wind (outdoor furniture, temporary installations, etc.);
• ensure that rainwater drainage grates are clear;
• limit non-essential travel in case of thunderstorms;
• avoid taking shelter under trees, especially isolated ones;
• avoid walks in forests and exposed areas.

Although the situation remains under control, CERI stresses that the combined effects of heat and storm events may still have impacts in the coming hours and days. It urges everyone to maintain their efforts and remain vigilant, particularly with regard to the most vulnerable persons (elderly people, children, isolated or fragile individuals).

More information: www.infocrise.lu; www.lu-alert.lu; Emergencies and duty services - Health Portal - Luxembourg; http://santesecu.lu/canicule

Participants in CERI: High Commission for National Protection (HCPN), MeteoLux, Directorate of Health, Corps grand-ducal d'incendie et de secours (CGDIS), Grand Ducal Police, Luxembourg Army, Ministry of Education, Children and Youth, Ministry of Home Affairs, Customs and Excise Administration, Labour and Mines Inspectorate.

Issued by the Cell for the evaluation of storm and flood risks (CERI)