10th anniversary of the 1998 Canadian Ice Storm – Remember?

If something like this happened again TODAY – would you be ready?

During the first week of January 1998, a severe ice storm swept through Eastern and Atlantic Canada. Few Canadians will soon forget the devastating scenes of dangling power lines and broken tree branches during the ice storm that swept through eastern Ontario, Quebec and parts of Atlantic Canada. At the height of the disaster, over three million Canadians were without electricity calling for an enormous and immediate deployment of all available resources.

How the Canadian Red Cross Helped

In the initial response phase, Red Cross provided direct support to affected communities, managing and/or supporting over 450 shelters, in three provinces, distributing 60,000 beds, 50,000 blankets, and 16,000 comfort kits, and assisting Canadians to locate family members.

Severe weather hitting your home and your community – what would you do?

When a disaster strikes, it may take emergency workers some time to reach everyone. The Canadian Red Cross encourages all Canadians to plan ahead and be prepared to take care of yourself and your family for at least 72 hours.

By taking the following actions now, you and your family can be better prepared for severe weather such as a snow or ice storm. Here are some simple steps that can help you today.

Know the risks – Although the consequences of disasters can be similar, knowing the risks specific to your community and your region can help you be better prepare. More»
Make a plan – Every Canadian household needs an emergency plan. It will help you and your family know what to do if disaster strikes. More»
Prepare a kit – During an emergency, you will all need some basic supplies. How would you get by without power or tap water? More»

Want to learn more?

Explore the disaster preparedness section of our web site for practical information and useful tips.
Explore our special education programs for children and youth.

Want to make a difference by helping others when disaster strikes?

Become a Red Cross volunteer. We are looking for enthusiastic new members for our disaster response teams in many regions across the country. Contact your local Red Cross office for information.

Take a Red Cross first aid course. Our hands-on training will teach you how to respond to emergencies, provide first aid with confidence and care, and save lives. Contact your local Red Cross office for information.

Canadians wishing to support Red Cross disaster preparedness and response are encouraged to make a financial donation by donating online at http://www.redcross.ca/, calling 1-800-418-1111 or contacting their local Canadian Red Cross office. The 24-hour toll free line accepts Visa, MasterCard and American Express. Cheques should be made payable to the Canadian Red Cross, earmarked “Canadian Disaster Relief” and mailed to Canadian Red Cross National Office, 170 Metcalfe Street, Suite 300, Ottawa, Ontario, K2P 2P2.Donations of goods are not accepted.

Don’t wait until an emergency happens—knowing what to do before a disaster strikes will help you and your family to remain in control of the situation to recover more quickly.

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