Climate change means more extreme storm events in New York State. We are getting more rain and snow, heavier storms, and unpredictable intense weather. Warmer ocean water temperatures create more intense hurricanes and tropical storms that can cause flooding and damage.

Storms and flooding can cause power outages, downed trees, washed out roads, polluted wells, and other safety hazards. Take steps to plan and prepare for severe weather to keep everyone safe.

What to do

• Develop an emergency plan as part of your camp’s safety plan:
• Identify evacuation routes and assembly points.
• Know who to contact in an emergency.
• Know and practice your plan. Be sure everyone knows their role.
• Share your plan with your local health department and your local emergency manager.
• Gather emergency supplies.
• Weather conditions can change quickly. Check forecasts daily and keep an eye out for alerts.
• Make sure you have many ways to stay updated:
• Text 333111 with your county or borough name for real-time emergency and weather alerts.
• Sign up for NY-ALERT to receive important information and emergency alerts on what is happening in your area.
• Get a weather radio, especially for camps in remote areas, or if you take trips to remote areas.
• Keep your devices charged and have extra batteries for your equipment.

More Information

• Learn About and Plan for Emergencies
• Flood Safety Tips
• Weather Emergencies: Extreme Weather and Flooding

New York summers are getting hotter. Climate models predict average temperatures will continue to rise and extreme heat events will become more frequent and intense.

Extreme heat is two to three days in a row of heat, humidity, and temperatures above 90°F. It is one of the most dangerous weather conditions. Extreme heat is more dangerous when it occurs early in the summer, before people’s bodies can adjust for hotter weather. It also becomes more dangerous the longer it lasts, and when overnight temperatures stay above 70°F. Extreme heat also can contribute to unhealthy air.

Extreme heat can cause dehydration, heat cramps, heat exhaustion, and heat stroke. It can also worsen some existing health conditions, like asthma or other respiratory illnesses.

Everyone is at risk of heat-related illness. The risk is higher for children, the elderly, people who work outdoors, and people with chronic (long-lasting) health conditions.

Younger children rely on adults to protect them from overheating. They may not recognize when they need to drink more water or remove clothing to cool down. They may not think about taking water and rest breaks when they are busy having fun.

What to do

• Stay cool and hydrated:
• Pace activity and take breaks often.
• Stay in the shade when possible.
• Limit strenuous outdoor activities, especially during 11 AM - 4 PM when the sun is hottest.
• Rotate campers and staff through an air-conditioned environment.
• Encourage campers and staff to drink water regularly, even if they do not feel thirsty. Avoid sugary or caffeinated drinks.
• If a camper or staff member feels faint or weak, have them stop all activity and bring them to a cool place.
• Plan ahead:
• Be prepared and stay informed! Get your Heat Risk and bookmark your local forecast page at weather.gov or the NYS Mesonet to learn about current conditions and alerts.
• Schedule outdoor activities during the coolest parts of the day or move activities to air-conditioned indoor areas, if possible.
• Provide plenty of drinking water wherever outdoor activities occur and build in frequent water breaks, ideally in the shade.
• Train staff on the symptoms of heat-related illness and what to do if someone shows signs of overheating.
• Encourage campers and staff to wear loose-fitting, lightweight, and light-colored clothing when it’s hot outside.

Climate change affects air pollution. Smog is worse on hot, sunny days.

Warmer temperatures can increase drought conditions, making it easier for wildfires to start. Wildfire smoke can travel hundreds of miles and result in poor air quality far away from the actual fire.

Air pollution can cause:

• Eye, nose, throat and lung irritation
• Coughing
• Shortness of breath
• Chest pain, and
• Sneezing or runny nose.

It can worsen existing conditions like asthma and heart disease.

What to do when Outdoor Air is Unhealthy

• Spend more time indoors:
• Move outdoor activities indoors or to times of day with better air quality.
• Plan for more indoor activities or reduce outdoor activities.
• Rotate campers and staff through air-conditioned spaces.
• Limit strenuous outdoor activities and take frequent breaks.
• Monitor campers with health conditions such as asthma that bad air quality can make worse.
• Stay updated:
• Monitor air quality and sign up for notifications at appfactory.dec.ny.gov/AQI.
• Consider using an Air Quality Flag Program where you raise a flag each day that corresponds to how clean or polluted the air is.

Warmer winters and a wetter climate can increase the number of disease-carrying ticks and mosquitoes. Weather changes also allow them to be active during more of the year. This increases the risk of getting tick-borne diseases, like Lyme disease and anaplasmosis. It also increases the risk of getting a disease spread by mosquitoes, such as West Nile Virus.

What to do

• Develop a plan to use insect repellent safely.
• Remove sources of standing water where mosquitoes can reproduce.
• Tuck pants into socks and shirt into pants.
• Check for ticks after outside activities and encourage nightly tick checks.
• Have tick removal kits on hand and know how to safely remove a tick.
• Teach campers and caregivers about mosquito and tick-bite prevention.
• Recommend that campers bring:
• Light-colored clothing
• Long pants and long-sleeved shirts
• Closed-toe shoes and socks
• Insect repellent
• Mosquito netting

Climate trends show rain events and heavier downpours have become more common. Runoff from heavy rainfall can cause more overflows from stormwater and sewage treatment systems. These can overflow into rivers, streams, and other surface waters. This can impact water quality in surface waters and beaches and increase the risk of water-related illnesses.

Runoff from fertilized lawns, septic systems, and other sources during more heavy rainfall events also causes an increase in harmful algal blooms (HABs) in surface waters. HABs are a health threat and have become a major reason for beach closures. Health effects can occur from exposure to HABs during swimming, wading, fishing, or boating in areas with blooms.

What to do

• Check camp beaches after rain events: look for anything unusual, including debris, bad smells, and cloudy or discolored water.
• Check for HABs before swimming, boating, and fishing. Avoid areas with strongly colored water, a paint-like appearance, or scum.
• Report suspicious blooms at or near a beach to your local health department.
• Before leaving for a trip to an off-site beach, call the beach operator to check on water conditions.

Droughts are now more common in New York State. Droughts impact the amount and quality of drinking water. They can cause low water pressure, contaminate water, or reduce the amount of water available for drinking, cooking, and household use. Water shortages can lead to poor hygiene practices, increasing the risk of spreading disease.

Drought increases the risk of wildfires, which can spread rapidly in dry conditions. Dusty air can worsen asthma symptoms and irritate the eyes, nose, and throat.

What to do

• Always check DEC’s Fire Danger Map before having a campfire.
• Contact your local health department if you have any concerns about your camp’s water supply.
• Conserve water and follow water restrictions that may be in place.
• Monitor and check real-time air quality at appfactory.dec.ny.gov/AQI.

Things to think about:

• What climate-related threats can affect our camp?
• What impact would these threats have on our camp?
• What expertise or practices do we need to deal with these threats?

Where to Start

Review your camp’s safety plan. Think about how to modify preparedness and emergency response and run your camp so that it is better prepared for the impact of climate change.

• Does your safety plan address severe storms, heat waves, and days with poor air quality?
• Can activity schedules be adjusted during extreme weather?
• Does staff training include topics such as preventing and recognizing heat-related illness, protecting against mosquito and tick bites, and what to do in a weather emergency?
• How will you monitor weather forecasts, air quality alerts, and public health advisories, and communicate those risks to staff and campers?
• Are there opportunities for facility improvements, such as shaded areas or access to cooling spaces?
• Have you coordinated with your local health department and local emergency manager as part of your planning?

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