Your Community

Emergency Preparedness

Guide Book

FOCUS ON FLOODING

     Flood damage costs Canadian taxpayers millions of dollars annually, to say nothing of the cost in term of human lives and suffering.

     All governments work to reduce the chance of floods, but the first line of defense is the individual.  Each of us has a responsibility to protect our homes and families to the greatest extent possible.  By planning ahead and taking sensible precautions, you can do your part to minimize flood damage.

At Work For You

     Through radio and TV, local governments do their best to keep residents of areas likely to be affected well informed.  When flooding is imminent or has occurred, detailed instructions by municipal or provincial authorities will be given as the need arises.

Be Prepared For Flooding

     Homeowners, renters and businesses can take the following precautions to help prevent or lessen the effects of flooding.

• If necessary, have a professional inspect your roof for excessive snow loads.

• Check your sump pump to see if it is working.

• Check to see if your eaves troughs, culverts and drainage ditches are clear.

• Review your insurance policy to ensure you are adequately covered.  Make sure you have sewer back-up insurance.

If You're at Risk

     When authorities have advised you that flooding is imminent, take precautions to ensure that you, your family and property are protected.

• Make sure your battery powered and/or crank radio is in working order and listen to local instructions.

• Have emergency food, water and medical supplies on hand.

• Move furniture, electrical appliances, livestock, equipment and other belongings to higher levels.

• Remove or seal hazardous products like weed killers or insecticides.

• Remove toilet bowl water and plug basement sewer drains and toilet connection.

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

• Have sandbags ready to use.

Evacuation

     If you are advised by the authorities to evacuate your home, then do so.  Ignoring the warning could jeopardize the safety of your family or those that might have to rescue you.

     Before you leave, turn off the power and gas.  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.

When you leave, take with you:

• Battery powered radio, flashlights and spare batteries.

• Warm clothing, waterproof clothing and blankets.

• Valuables like photo albums, home videos, etc.

• Essential medicines, and as many emergency supplies as you can.

• Infant care items.

• Personal toiletries

• Identification for each member of your family.

• Personal and family documents.

On the Road

• Follow the routes specified by officials.  Don't take shortcuts.  They could lead you to a blocked or dangerous area.

• Travel very carefully, and only if absolutely necessary through flooded areas.  Roads may be washed away or covered with water.  If you come across a barricade or a flooded road, take a different route.

• Keep listening to the radio or TV for information.

• Emergency workers will be busy assisting people in flooded areas.  Help them by staying out of the way.

• If you must walk or drive in a flooded area, make sure you are on firm ground.

• Watch out for power lines that are down.

Returning Home

• Care should be taken when re-entering your home.  Flood water is heavily contaminated with sewage and other pollutants that can pose a serious health hazard.

• Before entering a flooded building, check for foundation damage and make sure all porch roofs and overhangs are supported.

• Use a flashlight to inspect for damage inside your house.  Do not strike a match or use an open flame.

• Using a dry piece of wood, turn off the electricity at the main breaker or fuse box.

• Wear rubber gloves, rubber boots and protective eye wear when cleaning up.

• Do not use wet appliances or motors unless they have been serviced by a qualified electrician.

• Contact your local heating repair company to inspect your furnace and chimney.

• Do not use your regular water supply or septic system until it has been inspected and declared safe for use.

• Dispose of all contaminated food.

• If children must be present during the clean-up operations, supervise them closely.

• For instructions on how to clean rooms, household items, well and cisterns, contact your local health authority.

• Check your newspaper or listen to your radio or television for information about help that may be provided.

Drinking Water Supply

     Water from wells that have been flooded should be considered unsafe to drink due to the risk of bacterial contamination.

     It is recommended that wells used for drinking water, which have been flooded, be disinfected after floodwaters recede.

     Wells that have been flooded should be tested for bacteria and found to be safe before water from the well is consumed.

     Water sample bottles and instructions for disinfecting your well are available at Health Unit offices.

General Clean Up After the Flood

     Any materials left on your yard or property from the floodwater should be removed as soon as possible.

     Any surfaces such as walls and floors or articles such as tables or chairs should be cleaned and disinfected.  (Use a disinfectant household cleaner or a solution of one part bleach to 10 parts water after all visible soiling is removed.)  (500ml per one gallon or five litres of water.)

     Soiled carpeting or upholstery should be thoroughly cleaned or thrown away.

How to Prevent, Identify and Treat Mold!

Prevention:

• Molds often cause allergies, asthma or other health problems.  If you discover mold in your home, destroy it.

• Try to keep things dry as much as possible.

• Keep air circulating in your home.

• Find and correct obvious sources of moisture and cold surfaces when moisture collects.

Identification:

• They often look like a smudge, stain or discoloration; have an earthy or musty smell or smell faintly like alcohol.

• Dab a suspected mold spot with a drop of chlorine bleach.  If the colour of the spot changes or the spot disappears, the stain was likely organic and probably a mold.

Treatment:

• Chlorine bleach is the only product that kills mold on contact.

• Keep in mind that bleach is a strong chemical.  Handle it carefully.

• Wear gloves and a facemask.

• Keep air circulating in the area you are working in.

• Kill mold patches first, then wash down the entire area with one part chlorine, four parts water and a few drops of non-ammonia dishwashing detergent, rinse thoroughly and dry quickly.

Emergency Clean-up Tips For Water Damage

DO:

Ventilate wet areas.  Turn on air conditioning for accelerated drying in the summer.  In the winter alternate cycles of opening windows and heating.

Remove standing water from flat surfaces by sponging and blotting.

Take up saturated rugs and carpets when hardwood floors are at risk

Stay out of rooms where ceilings are sagging from retained water.

Transport computers to a dry environment, remove cases and blow dry with low air pressure.

Remove lamps, phones and decorative items from wet furniture tops.

Open drawers and cabinet drawers for interior drying

Freeze valuable books and documents to retard mildew growth until drying can be performed.

Place aluminum foil squares, china saucers or wood blocks under furniture legs to avoid carpet staining.

DO NOT:

Operate TV's, vacuums or other appliances while standing on wet carpet or floor, especially not on wet concrete floors.  Serious injury may result.

Use heat to dry closed building interiors:  mildew and expanded moisture damage may result.

Leave wet fabrics in place.  Space them apart and dry as soon as possible.

The National Institute of Disaster Restoration

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