Flooding

Depending on the cause of the flooding, you usually have some warning in advance.  If you do receive a warning, here are some steps you can take to prepare for the impending flood:

Electricity
When there is immediate danger of flooding, shut off all power in your home.

Heating Equipment
Special precautions should be taken to safeguard or minimize damage to electrical, natural gas or propane heating equipment. If there is enough warning time, consult your supplier for instructions on how to proceed.

General Precautions
Ensure that you have a battery-powered radio in working order, with spare batteries, to listen to instructions from your local station.

Prepare your emergency supplies into a grab 'n go kit in an easy-to-carry container that can be taken with you if you need to evacuate.  In addition to the general emergency supplies, you should include warm and waterproof clothing and footwear.

Move furniture, electrical appliances and other belongings to floors above ground level.

Remove such toxic substances as pesticides and insecticides from the immediate area to prevent pollution.

Remove toilet bowls, and plug basement sewer drains and toilet connections with a wooden plug.

Disconnect eaves troughs if they are connected to the house sewer.

In some cases, homes may be protected by using sandbags or polyethylene barriers. But this approach requires specific instructions that must be obtained from your local emergency officials.

Evacuation
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 people who might eventually have to come to your rescue.

When you leave, take your emergency grab 'n go 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.

Should time allow, leave a note informing others when you left and where you went. If you have a mailbox, leave the note there.

If you are evacuated, register with the reception centre so that you can be contacted and reunited with your family and loved ones.

If you are using your car, try not to drive through flood waters. Fast water can sweep your car away. However, should you be caught in fast rising waters and your car stalls, leave it behind. Always consider your safety and the safety of others first.