As Canadians, we know what it’s like to suffer through a long winter and full of hope we prepare for warmer weather and spring. However, with warmer weather and melting snow, we should also prepare for flooding.
Floods are very common across Canada. Whether you live near a watercourse or not, you’re never safe from torrential rains, a sudden overflow of water, or rapidly melting snow.
Advice from Canadian Red Cross Disaster Management Volunteer, Debbie James, “During my time working on the floods response, it has been brought home to me that mitigation is the best defence against a flooding event. Know your risks [...]”
Be ready for spring flooding with these tips from the Canadian Red Cross:
Take the time to assemble your emergency kit
- Know the risks for your area. Low-lying urban areas are especially vulnerable to flooding.
- Would you know what to do during a flood? Make a plan. Work with your family to figure out what you would need during an emergency.
- Keep an emergency kit on hand. Make sure everyone in your family knows where your emergency kit is kept. Your kit should have enough water and food to last 72 hours.
- Listen to local news, follow social media, and check local weather reports for flood warnings. If there’s an alert follow the advice of local authorities.
Prepare your Home
Follow these tips to minimize the risk of flooding caused by snowmelt:
- Clear away any snow surrounding the foundations of your house. Pay close attention to any basement window wells and make sure they’re clear of snow.
- Usually, the drainage system runs along the outer edges of a property. Take the time and carefully clear this area of snow.
- Make sure to keep the snow in your own yard and don’t pile it onto the street because it can block gutters and drains.
- Keep snow from accumulating on your roof or in your gutters.
- Use a sandbag dike to protect any vulnerable areas along your foundation.
- If you’re at risk for flooding make sure you have a pump ready to go. Use the pump to re-direct any flood water away from your foundation to the gutter or back street of the property. Make sure to read the instructions carefully and handle any device with caution.
- If your basement has a sump pump make sure it’s working and think about getting a generator in case there’s a power outage.