Severe Summer Storms

If severe rain and wind events are forecast:

• Make sure you have emergency preparedness kits (home, car, pet).
  
• Clean up leaves and yard waste that are piled up in ditches, sidewalks and catch basins in front of your home.
• If you see large debris on the roadway please call 905.477.5530 to have City workers remove and dispose of it in a safe manner.
• Clean out your eaves troughs.
• Keep children and pets away from flooded areas or high-level waterways.
• Drive with extra caution during heavy rain.
• In the event of high winds, take extra care to secure your waste items at the curb on collection day.
• As a precaution, identify potential home hazards and know how to secure or protect them before a flood may occur. Be prepared to turn off electrical power when there’s standing water.
• Turn off gas and water supplies before you evacuate.
• If you experience basement flooding, call 905.477.5530 so the incident can be recorded. Take note whether the flooding is a result of a sewer surcharge or surface flooding.

Guidance from getprepared.gc.ca.

Before severe rain and wind events:

• Trim dead branches and cut down dead trees to reduce the danger of these falling onto your house during a storm.
• Clean gutters, drains and downpipes.
• Make sure your roof is in good repair.
• Prepare an emergency kit.

When a storm is imminent:

• When a severe storm is on the horizon, Environment Canada will issue weather warnings through the Weatheroffice website, automated telephone information lines and its “Weatheradio” service. Radio and television stations will also broadcast Environment Canada weather statements. Pay attention to that information.
• Always check the weather forecast before heading out on the water. Do not go boating in a storm. If you are on the water and see bad weather approaching, head for shore immediately. Remember to file a sail plan with a responsible person, and frequently monitor the VHF marine or Weatheradio broadcast throughout your trip.
• Secure everything that might be blown around or torn loose — indoors and outdoors. Flying objects such as garbage cans and lawn furniture can injure people and damage property.
• Consider going to the sheltered area that you and your family identified in your emergency plan.

During a storm

• If you are indoors during a storm, stay away from windows, doors and fireplaces.
• If you are advised by officials to evacuate, do so. Delay may make later evacuation difficult or impossible. Take your emergency kit with you.
• If indoors, you can use a cellular or cordless telephone during a severe storm, but it is not safe to use a corded telephone.
• If you are in a car, stop the car away from trees or power lines that might fall on you. Avoid the base of steep or unstable slopes and low areas prone to flooding. Stay inside the car.