Floods

• Speak to your insurance provider to find out what’s covered in your policy and if additional flood protection is available.
• Keep a current and detailed inventory of the items you own. Doing so will make it easier to complete an insurance claim if these items get damaged.
• For more information, visit the Insurance Bureau of Canada.

Emergency plan

• Develop a household emergency plan that outlines the actions you and your family need to take before, during and after a flood.
• Review this plan with your entire household to make sure everyone knows what to do.

Emergency kits

• Consider preparing an emergency kit with at least three days’ worth of essentials.
• Your emergency kit should be easily accessible and easy to carry in case you need to evacuate quickly.
• Check the City of Mississauga’s Emergency Preparedness Guide for more information about emergency kits.

• Put weather protection sealant around basement windows and the base of ground-level doors.
• Maintain proper drainage to ensure that water flows away from the walls of your home and other buildings on your property.
• Consider installing a sump pump and zero reverse flow valves in basement floor drains. If you already have these devices, follow the manufacturer’s instructions for cleaning to ensure they are functioning properly.
• Clean your eavestroughs as rain can pour over the edges and spill into your basement if they are blocked.
• Don’t store important documents or valuables in the basement.
• Check the Region of Peel’s comprehensive Guide to Flood Prevention and Recovery for more information on how prevent damage from flooding.

• Stay away from fast-flowing streams, rivers and areas that are known to flood.
• Ensure street catch basins are not blocked and keep your eavestroughs clear.
• Move electrical appliances and other belongings above ground level.
• Remove toxic substances, such as pesticides and insecticides, from the areas at risk of flooding to prevent contamination and pollution.
• Make sure all basement windows are closed.
• If a flood warning is in effect, shut off electricity to areas that are at risk of flooding.

• If your home or basement has flooded and you’re in immediate danger or require assistance with rescue or evacuation, call 911.
• Don’t attempt to shut off electricity if any water is present. Leave your home immediately and don’t return until authorities confirm it’s safe to do so.
• After you have evacuated your home, if water rose above your electrical outlets, baseboard or furnace, immediately call Alectra at 1-833-253-2872 to report it.

• Report blocked catch basins, street flooding and damaged street trees to the Citizen Contact Centre by dialling 311 or submitting a report online.
• Report trees or branches on electrical wires or power outages to Alectra via Twitter or online.

Don’t re-enter your home if:

• Your home or basement has flooded and the authorities have not yet advised it’s safe to do so.
• The main power switch was not turned off before the flood and a qualified electrician has not yet determined it’s safe to return.

Upon re-entering your home:

• Don’t use any appliances, heating, pressure or sewage system until a qualified electrician has cleaned, dried and inspected the components.
• Ensure the main electrical panel is cleaned, dried and tested by a qualified electrician.
• Minimize contact with floodwater or anything that has been in contact with it as floodwater can be heavily contaminated with sewage and other pollutants.

• If possible, record details of the flood damage through photos or video recordings.
• Register the amount of damage to your home with your insurance provider immediately.

• Minimize contact with floodwater and items damaged by the flood.
• Wear proper equipment such as gloves, masks, and other protection when cleaning up flooded areas and handling damaged items.
• You may want to consider using the following equipment to help clean up, dispose of and care for items:
  • Pails
  • Mops
  • Squeegees
  • Plastic garbage bags
  • Unscented detergent
  • Large containers for soaking bedding, clothing and linens
  • Clotheslines to hang bedding, clothing and linens to dry
  • Extension cords
  • Submersible pumps
  • Wet and dry shop vacuums
  • Carbon monoxide sensor
  • Dehumidifiers, fans or heaters
• Keep extension cords out of the water when using electrical equipment to clean up.
• Dispose of flood-damaged items and materials. Regular waste collection schedules and operations will remain in effect.
• You may need to hire a contractor to clean up and dispose of items and materials after a flood. Speak with your insurance representative to find out if your insurance policy covers the associated costs of post-flooding cleanup.