Emergency Planning and Preparedness

• Know where your property is located in relation to flood warning areas.
• Check your lot is properly graded and that roof and eaves are draining properly in heavy rain.
• Move valuables that may be subject to flooding to upper levels.
• Consider installing a sump pump and zero reverse flow values in basement flood drains.
• Consider buying a portable generator and pump.
• Consult your respective utility companies for instructions on how to safely shut off and protect your furnaces and other household equipment and for the necessary steps to take before restarting.

• Overland flood insurance is now available in Ontario, please contact your insurer to determine if are covered or to obtain coverage.

• Stay tuned to local media for warnings and advisories and visit www.cambridge.ca and/or www.grandriver.ca
• Follow the instructions of emergency response officials, such as police, fire and municipal staff.
• Remove valuable items from the basement and lower levels.
• If you have a generator and/or portable pump, test them and have fuel on hand.
• Make sure your sump pump is working.
• Follow the instructions from your utility supplier (gas, electrical, propane, etc.) to safely shut down and protect furnaces and other appliances.
• Prepare to evacuate if necessary. Collect necessary items such as cash, medication, important papers, identification and change of clothes.
• Ensure your pets are not left alone during a flood by taking them to a kennel or leaving them with family and friends.

• Do not attempt to drive on a road that has been closed due to flooding, obey the signs and take alternate routes.

• Do not return home until authorities advise it is safe.
• Report broken utility lines.
• Consult your insurer about steps to take if your property is flooded or you suspect structural damage.
• Exercise caution when re-entering your home. If the main power switch was not turned off prior to flooding, do not re-enter your home until a qualified electrician has determined it is safe to do so.
• If your main electrical panel was under water, it must be cleaned, dried and tested by a qualified electrician to determine if it is safe. Do not use flooded appliances, electrical outlets, switch boxes or fuse breaker panels until they have been checked by the power company.
• If natural gas lines were under water, contact your gas supplier before resuming service. If natural gas appliances were under water, have them checked by an approved heating, ventilation and air conditioning contractor.

• The water in your home could be contaminated with sewage and other pollutants. Contact Region of Waterloo Public Health at (519) 575-4400 for advice. 

Below are lists of essential items that you should include in your Emergency Preparedness Kit.
 
Consider any unique needs your family may have, such as supplies needed for pets or seniors.
Check your kits at least every 6 months to ensure it will continue to meet your family's changing needs.

Shelter-in-place is a call to action when there is the potential of harmful air that you could be exposed to. Some chemicals are odourless, tasteless and invisible.

This is a precaution aimed to keep you safe while remaining indoors. (This is not the same thing as going to a shelter in case of a storm.) Shelter-in-place means selecting a small, interior room, with no or few windows, and taking refuge there. 

Chemical, biological, or radiological contaminants may be released accidently into the environment. Should this occur, information will be provided by local authorities on television and radio stations on how to protect you and your family. Because information will most likely be provided on television and radio, government websites, social media or wireless public alerting, it is important to keep a TV or radio on, even during the workday. The important thing is for you to follow instructions of local authorities and know what to do if they advise you to shelter-in-place.

If the need to shelter in place should arise, local authorities will typically broadcast through TV, radio, government websites, social media or wireless public alerting. Alert Ready and/or Alert Waterloo Region

• Have emergency light sources (flashlights, batteries, rechargeable flashlights) in all major rooms of your house such as the kitchen, hallways, family rooms, and bedrooms.
• Consider a portable mobile device charger that can keep your phone charged without electricity.
• Have several coolers or ice chests on hand (inexpensive Styrofoam coolers will work), and get a supply of ice for food storage in the event of a long-term power outage.
• Install surge protectors in your home to safeguard valuable electronic equipment such as computers and home entertainment systems.
• Make sure you have at least one vehicle with no less than half a tank of fuel; gas pumps are electrically operated and gas stations will shut down during a power outage.

• First check to see if your neighbours have power. If you are the only home without electricity, check the main fuse in your electric service panel or fuse box to see if the main circuit breaker has been tripped or if a fuse has blown. If your neighbours don't have electricity either, then you know there has been a power outage in your area.
• Turn off all major non-essential appliances such as your electric range and washer/dryer. Appliances and tools left switched on will start up automatically when your power is restored; turning them off prevents injury or fire.
• Avoid opening the fridge unless necessary.  See "Managing food without power" below.
• If you light candles, use candle holders and NEVER leave burning candles unattended.

Stay up-to-date on power outage information, including outage maps, by visiting the GrandBridge website. You can also contact:

• Keep the refrigerator and freezer doors closed as much as possible.

• The refrigerator will keep food cold for about 4 hours if it is unopened.

• Refrigerated or frozen foods should be kept at 4 °C (40 °F) or below for proper food storage.

• Use a refrigerator thermometer to check temperature.

• Refrigerated food should be safe as long as the power was out for no more than 4 hours.

• Discard any perishable food (such as meat, poultry, fish, eggs or leftovers) that has been above 4 °C (40 °F) for two hours or more.

Listen to weather forecasts, check and restock your emergency kit; make sure you have extra blankets, batteries, emergency food and water supply, etc. ready to go before the storm hits. Even though we can’t always predict extreme cold in advance, weather forecasts can sometimes give you several days of notice to prepare. Have an emergency car kit.

• For older adults, keep an easy-to-read thermometer inside your home. If you or a loved one are over 65 years old, place an easy-to-read thermometer in an indoor location where you will see it frequently. Our ability to feel a change in temperature decreases with age. Older adults are more susceptible to health problems caused by cold. Check the temperature of your home often during the winter months.

• Expect stores to be busy - buy emergency supplies in advance

• Plan to be without electricity - and heat - for 72 hours

• Winterize your vehicle - ensure you have snow tires installed well in advance of the winter storm season

• Make a communications plan for your family - how are you going to get in contact with each other if you’re away from home when the storm hits? How are you going to get everyone home?  (Click here to download a Family communication plan)

• Make a plan to check in with neighbours, family, friends and anyone else who may need your help or whose help you may need.

• Prepare a plan to help your family evacuate if needed.

 During the storm

• Keep warm; change out of wet clothing, wear multiple layers, keep plenty of blankets available.

• Stay indoors, if you must go out, dress for the weather to avoid serious cold-related injuries.

• Use your emergency kit.

• Avoid driving unless absolutely necessary.

• If you must drive, keep on main roads and avoid unplowed side roads.

• Do NOT use propane stoves or barbecues indoors. They release deadly carbon monoxide fumes when used indoors.

• If you have pets, bring them indoors and make sure they are dry. If you cannot bring them inside, provide adequate shelter to keep them warm and make sure they have access to unfrozen water.

• Run a trick of water to prevent pipes from freezing.

• Consult safety manual when using space heaters - keep heat sources at least three feet away from furniture and curtains.

• Check in with neighbours, family, and friends.

• Evacuate if necessary or if advised to do so from officials.

 After the storm

• If power in your home remains out beyond 72 hours, consider going to an emergency shelter (if available) or staying with friends and family.

• Consult your utility company before reconnecting power and gas.

• Check in with neighbours, family, and friends.

• Safely begin to clear debris around your property - fallen tree branches, shovel snow, etc.

• Keep away from any fallen power lines and do not attempt to remove debris near or on power lines.

• Check with your local waste department for debris collection schedules.

 Ice storm

Ice storms can be the winter's worst hazard. The severity of ice storms depends on the accumulation of ice, the duration of the event, the location and extent of the area affected.  Ice can bring down power lines, tree limbs and sometimes even fully uproot a tree.

When ice is in the forecast, be sure to make sure you are prepared.

• Check where your car is parked. Make sure it is not under power lines or a tree which can be brought down by ice. Use your garage if you have one or park in a clear area.
• Bring your ice clearing tools inside. Make sure the ice doesn't keep you out of your vehicle by bringing your ice scraper, jumper cables, lock de-icer, etc. inside the house before the ice starts.
• Re-stock or put together your emergency kit. 

More information

 For more information on how to prepare you and your family for severe winter weather check out the following:

• Severe Storms - What to do (Government of Canada)
• Winter Weather Checklists (Centres for Disease Control and Prevention)
• Winter Weather Info Graphic (CDC)
• Preparing an Emergency Food Kit (Government of Canada)