Home Matters: Are You Prepared for a Flood?

March 30, 2022

Loss prevention tips for all your home matters.

Did You Know?

According to Public Safety Canada, floods are one of the most common disasters in Canada. Even small streams, gullies, creeks, culverts, dry streambeds or low-lying ground that appear harmless in dry weather can flood. Plus, it only takes a few centimetre or two of water to cause major damage to your home.

When A Flood Watch Is Issued:

• Move your furniture and valuables to higher floors of your home.
• Fill your car’s gas tank, in case an evacuation notice is issued.

When A Flood Warning Is Issued:

• Gather emergency supplies and fill bathtubs with clean water.
• Tune your radio to weather updates, disaster directions and signals.
• If you must evacuate, take only essential items with you.
• Move to higher ground away from rivers, streams, creeks and storm drains.

After A Flood:

• Throw away food that is not safe to eat and use bottled water until the local authorities have determined that tap water is safe to drink and to use for cooking.
• Stay away from damaged buildings and structures.
• Do not touch fallen power lines.
• Do not turn on your power until a qualified electrician has determined that it is safe to do so.
• Wear protective clothing when handling hazardous materials or cleaning up mould.
• Clean up flood damage promptly.

Safety First

Prepare a family disaster plan by doing the following:

• Keep insurance policies and other valuables in a safety deposit box.
• Identify where you could go if you were told to evacuate. Choose several places, such as a friend’s home in another town, a motel or a shelter.
• Keep written instructions for how and when to turn off electricity, gas and water if the authorities advise you to do so.