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RUPREPARED.CA
MAKE A PLAN - KNOW
THE RISK - BE PREPARED!
Floods - Know The Risks
Information Supplied By Government of Canada
Floods are the most frequent natural hazard in
Canada. They can occur at any time of the year and are most often caused by
heavy rainfall, rapid melting of a thick snow pack, ice jams, or more rarely,
the failure of a natural or man-made dam.
Download the
What to do
Flood Brochure
Flood facts
- A heavy
rainfall can result in flooding, particularly
when the ground is still frozen or already saturated from previous storms.
- Flash flooding – in which warning time is
extremely limited – can be caused by hurricanes, violent storms or dams
breaking.
- All Canadian rivers experience flooding
at one time or another. The potential
for flood damage is high where there is development on low-lying,
flood-prone lands.
Preparing for a flood
To reduce the likelihood of flood damage
- Put weather protection sealant around
basement windows and the base of ground-level doors.
- Install the drainage for downspouts a
sufficient distance from your residence to ensure that water moves away from
the building.
- Consider installing a sump pump and zero
reverse flow valves in basement floor drains.
- Do not store your important documents in
the basement. Keep them at a higher level, protected from flood damage.
- If you have a livestock farm, remember
that livestock have a natural “move away instinct” to flash flood waters.
They generally seek higher ground if possible. When purchasing or designing
your livestock operation, it is important to allow livestock a way to reach
high ground in each pasture. Without access, livestock will fight fences and
be at a greater risk of drowning. Livestock will initially panic during
flash floods. This complicates livestock handling.
If a flood is forecast
- Turn off basement furnaces and the
outside gas valve.
- Take special precautions to safeguard
electrical, natural gas or propane heating equipment.
- If there is enough time, consult your
electricity or fuel supplier for instructions on how to proceed.
- In floods, in a rural farm setting,
sheltering livestock may be the wrong thing to do. Leaving animals
unsheltered is preferable because flood waters that inundate a barn could
trap animals inside, causing them to drown.
- If evacuation of the animals is being
considered, then evacuation procedures, places, and routes should be
planned. Animal evacuation routes must not interfere with human evacuation
routes. Alternate routes should be found in case the planned route is not
accessible. Places where animals are to be taken should be decided in
advance and arrangements made with the owners of these places to accept the
animals.
If flooding is imminent
- Move furniture, electrical appliances and
other belongings to floors above ground level.
- Remove toxic substances such as
pesticides and insecticides from the flood area to prevent pollution.
- Remove toilet bowls and plug basement
sewer drains and toilet connections with a wooden stopper.
- Disconnect eavestroughs if they are
connected to the house sewer.
- In some cases, homes may be protected
with sandbags or polyethylene barriers. This approach requires specific
instructions from your local emergency officials.
- Do NOT attempt to shut off electricity if
any water is present. Water and live electrical wires can be lethal. Leave
your home immediately and do not return until authorities indicate it is
safe to do so.
During a flood
- Keep your radio on to find out what areas
are affected, what roads are safe, where to go and what to do if the local
emergency team asks you to leave your home.
- Keep your
emergency kit
close at hand, in a portable container such as a duffel bag, back pack, or
suitcase with wheels.
If you need to evacuate
- Vacate your home when you are advised to
do so by local emergency authorities. Ignoring such a warning could
jeopardize the safety of your family or those who might eventually have to
come to your rescue.
- Take your
emergency kit
with you.
- Follow the routes specified by officials.
Don't take shortcuts. They could lead you to a blocked or dangerous area.
- Make arrangements for pets.
- Time permitting, leave a note informing
others when you left and where you went. If you have a mailbox, leave the
note there.
Never cross a flooded area
- If you are on foot, fast water could
sweep you away.
- If you are in a car, do not drive through
flood waters or underpasses. The water may be deeper than it looks and your
car could get stuck or swept away by fast water.
- Avoid crossing bridges if the water is
high and flowing quickly.
- If you are caught in fast-rising waters
and your car stalls, leave it and save yourself and your passengers
For more information contact your
local EMO office.
Know The Risks
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