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Sherburne County Multi -Hazard Mitigation Plan, 2020 Recent statistics from NOAA show that there are more human fatalities each year due to heat waves than from floods, lightning, tornadoes and winter storms. Many cities have responded by creating Heat Wave Response Plans to ensure that those in marginal health without air conditioning can obtain the relief and care they need, and the Minnesota Department of Health developed the Extreme Heat Toolkit to help educate at -risk populations on how to reduce risks associated with heat waves (Seeley M. , 2015). Increasing temperatures impacts Minnesota's agricultural industry. Agriculture is highly dependent on specific climate conditions. As a result of increasing temperature, crop production areas may shift to new regions of the state where the temperature range for growth and yield of those crops is optimal. According to the National Climate Assessment, the Midwest growing season has lengthened by almost two weeks since 195o due in large part to earliertiming of the last spring freeze. This trend is expected to continue. While a longer growing season may increase total crop production, other climate changes, such as increased crop losses and soil erosion from more frequent and intense storms, and increases in pests and invasive species, could outweigh this benefit. There may also be higher livestock losses during periods of extreme heat and humidity. Losses of livestock from extreme heat lead to a challenge in the disposal of animal carcasses. Currently there are only two rendering facilities in Minnesota available for livestock disposal. If a rendering facility is not available, lost livestock must be composted on an impervious surface. If losses are high, finding an impervious surface large enough is a challenge. In an attempt to adapt to increased temperatures, livestock areas in Minnesota may shift farther north. As a result of new livestock areas and the resulting manure production, farmers may transition to manure -based fertilizer applications in areas where traditionally only commercial fertilizers have been used, with accompanying environmental advantages and disadvantages (Adapting to Climate Change in Minnesota: 2o3.3 Report of the Interagency Climate Adaptation Team, 2013). In orderto minimize the detrimental effects of heat stress on animal metabolism and weight gain, Minnesota farmers have also begun redesigning and retrofitting dairy, hog, and poultry barns with better watering, feeding, and ventilation systems (Seeley M. , 2015). Vulnerability Within Sherburne County the risk of extreme heat does not vary geographically other than possible minor urban heat island effects in built-up areas; however, the impact extreme heat has on individuals is not equal. According to the Center for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC), population groups more vulnerable to extreme heat include: • Older adults (>_65 years old). The elderly are not able to easily adjust to sudden changes in temperature and more likely to have a chronic medical condition, ortake medication affecting their body's ability to control its temperature. Infants and children. Young children and infants have limited control with their surroundings and rely on others to keep them cool and hydrated. • Individuals with chronic health conditions. These individuals are less likely to respond to changes in temperature, may be taking a medication which exacerbates the effects of extreme heat, or have a condition which is a risk -factor for heat -related illness (e.g. heart disease, mental illness, poor blood circulation, and obesity). Page 173