Key Takeaways:
From thunderstorms and ice storms to heavy rain, hurricanes and tornadoes, each region of Canada sees its share of severe storms. Storms can wreak havoc, leaving people without power for days or causing floods that force people out of their homes.
If you've ever experienced an intense Canadian storm, you know how important it is to be prepared. Knowing which types of storms are likely to hit your area can help you construct an appropriate emergency plan. Assembling a kit of key emergency supplies and ensuring your house is storm ready can help protect you, your family and your property in a storm.
Create a storm preparedness emergency plan
Whether you have to stay in your home without power and water for multiple days or evacuate during a storm, creating an emergency management plan is the first step in preparing for a storm, so you can stay safe.
When creating your emergency plan, consider the following:
- What are the storm risks in your region? (For example, hurricane season in Halifax or hailstorms in Alberta)
- Do you have an evacuation plan to safely exit from your home and neighbourhood?
- Where will you meet your family or friends if you're split up?
- Who will you designate to pick up your children if you're unavailable or unable?
- Who are your emergency contacts?
- Where's the fire extinguisher located?
- How do you turn off water, electricity and gas?
If you need help creating your emergency plan, the Government of Canada provides a step-by-step template you can fill in and print. Once you have a plan, print off a few copies and put them in a safe place in your home and car. You can also send them to your emergency contacts so they have a copy of the plan as well.
Create an emergency supply kit
The Government of Canada recommends that in the case of an emergency, you're ready to take care of yourself and your family for a minimum of 72 hours.1 Think about the kind of supplies you'd need if you're stuck in your home or forced out of your home. Essential emergency kit supplies can include:
- A copy of your emergency plan
- Flashlights, headlamps and glowsticks
- Batteries
- Battery-powered or crank radio so you can continue to check the forecasts
- Cell phone chargers
- Extra keys
- Water
- Hand sanitizer
- Non-perishable food items, like canned and packaged food
- Manual can opener
- Medications
- First aid kit
- Camping gear, such as sleeping bags and a small cooking stove
- Extra clothing
- Pet supplies, including food, water, a leash and a carrier
- Activities, like cards and games for children
- Garbage bags
- Special items, such as infant formula or equipment for people with disabilities
Prepare your home
In addition to putting together an emergency plan and an emergency kit, you should also take steps to prepare your home.
Clean gutters/eavestroughs
Gutters (a.k.a. eavestroughs) clogged with leaves, pine needles and branches are unable to drain properly. Clean your gutters and check the drains and downpipes regularly to help prevent clogging and water pooling during a storm.
Check the roof
Regular roof inspections can help to prevent leaks and other issues. Check your roof or have a professional check it to ensure it's in good repair. Replace loose shingles as necessary.
Inspect the chimney and flue
If you lose electricity during a winter storm and are left without heat, you might build a fire in your fireplace to stay warm. If you have a wood-burning fireplace, inspect the chimney and flue annually.
Check home detectors
If you plan to use an alternate heating source, such as a wood-burning fireplace or wood stove, it's especially important to ensure your smoke detectors and carbon monoxide detectors are functioning.
Seal doors and windows
To keep drafts out of your house, check your doors and windows for leaks. Use caulking or weatherstripping to seal any leaks.
Secure windows, doors and garage doors
If you live in a region susceptible to hurricanes, consider installing storm shutters on your windows. A shutter will help shield your window and prevent it from shattering during a storm. You can add plywood panels to protect doors and sliding glass doors. Bracing kits or hurricane panels can protect and strengthen your garage door.
Properly secure pictures and mirrors
If you live in a region that experiences earthquakes, ensure all pictures and mirrors are firmly secured to your walls so they won't fall off their hooks. Also, avoid hanging heavy pictures above beds in case they fall.
Purchase emergency equipment
Equip your home with emergency equipment, including fire extinguishers and first aid kits. Check the expiration tag on your fire extinguisher to ensure it's still within the timeframe. Regularly inspect your first aid kit and replace missing items.
Trim trees
To reduce the chance of branches falling on your home during a storm, keep trees trimmed and cut down any dead trees. Having a professional trim tree branches close to power lines will reduce the risk of a power outage.
Clear your yard
Secure all lawn furniture, bikes, kid toys, grills and anything else that could blow around in high winds.
Invest in a generator
If you live in an area of the country that experiences frequent and severe weather, you might consider investing in a generator. If you lose electricity, a generator allows you to produce your own power. Learn how to work your generator before you need it, and test it monthly. Finally, don't forget to stock up on enough fuel to run the generator for a few days.
Locate shut-offs
Know where your water, gas and electricity shut-offs are in your home and how to properly turn them off. Teach every member of your family who's old enough how to do this. You can also label the on and off positions to make it easier for people to remember during an emergency situation.
Review your home insurance
Every home insurance policy is different. Review your coverage regularly to confirm which unexpected events (referred to as perils) are covered in a storm or natural disaster.
Certain perils, including wind-related weather like tornadoes and hurricanes, ice and hail, and damage from a wildfire, are often covered. However, many insurance policies don't cover disasters like earthquakes, landslides or floods.
Some companies offer add-on coverage for risks your policy doesn't cover. For instance, if you live in a region that experiences earthquakes, you can inquire about additional earthquake insurance, which will come at an extra cost.
Some companies offer flood insurance as an add-on. The cost of extra insurance is partly based on the level of flooding risk in your area. Even if you purchase additional flood insurance, it's important to understand exactly what it includes. Damage caused by flooding from storm surges, salt water, coastal waters, tsunamis, tidal waves, rising water table or sewer backups aren't typically covered.
Is your home storm ready?
While you can't predict when a storm will happen or how severe it will be, you can do your best to prepare. Creating an emergency preparedness plan and reviewing it regularly with your family can help you to take immediate action when a storm hits. Ensuring you have an emergency kit equipped with essential items to last a minimum of 72 hours can increase your comfort and chances of surviving if you get trapped inside without power or are forced to evacuate your home. Finally, taking steps to prepare your home for severe storms can help to reduce your risk of property damage and death during a storm.
References:
1. Government of Canada. Get Prepared.