The Nord, Pas-de-Calais, Manche, Somme and Oise have triggered, in anticipation of significant snowfall and temperature that will hit them from Tuesday February 9, the plan "
Extreme cold
", an interministerial device responsible for combating the “
health and social
effects
linked to winter temperatures
”.
What is this “
Deep Cold
” plan and what does it imply?
Le Figaro
takes stock.
Read also: Weather forecast: snow warning in Brittany, beware of extreme cold in the North
What is the “
Big Cold
” plan?
The “
Extreme Cold
” plan is an instrument that the prefectures can activate by relying on Météo France forecasts.
It can only be triggered in the event of an intense cold episode, characterized by its persistence and geographic extent.
Three levels of vigilance
The plan, subject to a seasonal watch from November 1 to March 31, is divided into several levels of vigilance: the yellow level, called "
cold weather
", corresponds to a short cold episode, lasting one to two days, with nighttime temperatures between -5 ° C and -10 ° C.
The orange level, nicknamed "
extreme cold
", can be triggered in the event of minimum temperatures between -10 ° C and - 18 ° C.
Finally, the red level, “
extreme cold
”, is set up if the temperatures felt are less than or equal to - 18 ° C.
This last level is rarely reached.
Protect vulnerable and precarious populations
The system has three main objectives: to limit seasonal excess mortality, to prevent cardiovascular pathologies (stroke in particular), and to protect the most vulnerable populations, who cannot shelter from the cold, for example.
What does the “Extreme
Cold
”
plan involve
?
More than a symbol, the “
Extreme Cold
” plan activates a set of measures.
Additional accommodation places
First, emergency accommodation places can be opened by the different prefectures.
Thus, 70 additional places have been set up throughout the Pas-de-Calais department.
Hotels are available to accommodate families with children.
Same system in the North with the requisition of 90 additional places in Roubaix and Tourcoing.
60 additional accommodation places have been opened in the Somme, and 57 in the Oise.
Reinforcement of patrols
The “
Great Cold
” plan also involves strengthening number 115, with more advisers mobilized and extended hours.
The interventions of the marauding teams, the Samu social and associations, are intensified.
The police are also mobilized to identify sensitive people, such as the homeless.
Finally, communication concerning the risks associated with cold is reinforced, with the dissemination or display of prevention messages.
Emergency grants
Emergency grants to associations are also provided for by the “
Deep Cold
” plan, regardless of the level of vigilance triggered.
Thus, last year in Île-de-France, 325,000 euros were awarded to 11 associations, including Aurore, the Secours Populaire and the Red Cross.
