On Thursday Environment and Climate Change Canada issued a special weather statement for potential heavy rainfall from the remnants of the tropical storm Debby. Rainfall began Thursday night and has been going steady throughout the day today. Here are some things you can do to help weather the storm.
Plan ahead
Whether you are driving, going swimming, or heading out on a boat, make sure to plan ahead. Check the weather forecast for risks of rain, heavy winds or thunderstorms. We encourage you to check the weather forecast and download the WeatherCAN app for your mobile devices to get weather updates directly from Environment and Climate Change Canada.
How to prevent basement flooding
Follow some these recommended steps to reduce the risk of basement flooding:
- Seal window wells and cracks in floors, walls and the foundation.
- Slope ground away from the foundation to allow rainwater to flow away from the home.
- Direct downspouts from eaves troughs away from the foundation (minimum of 1.2 metres) or to a rain barrel.
- Disconnect downspouts from the sewer system or foundation drains.
- Don’t put grass clipping, leaves, or other debris on the streets as they can plug the drains and prevent proper drainage, particularly during heavy rainfalls. Plugged drains cause water to build up on the street, increasing your risk of basement flooding.
- Ensure foundation drains direct water to the storm sewer or sump pump. Foundation drains should not be connected to the sanitary sewer.
- Ensure the sump pump is connected to the storm sewer or discharges to the ground at least 1.2 metres from the foundation.
Should you experience basement flooding during a storm, we recommend:
- Stay safe. Do not enter the flooded area until a qualified professional has determined it is safe to enter.
- Be sure to wear protective clothing and wash thoroughly after any contact with flood water, due to potential bacteria and viruses.
- Avoid using fixtures and appliances which require water until after the issue has been resolved, as any water sent down the drain may end up in your basement.
- Contact your gas and hydro companies if the water has come into contact with your utilities.
- Contact your insurance company.
- Contact 3-1-1 to report if you have water in your basement. The City has expert staff on duty at all times who will respond as soon as possible to these situations. Also, data and information collected from storm-related flooding will help inform City staff of future risks.
- Dispose of materials such as drywall, carpets, and furniture which were exposed to flood water and cannot be dried.
How to prevent localized flooding
Our streets and greenspaces are designed to slowly drain stormwater into our sewers through over 100,000 catch basins located across the city. During heavy rainfall, water pooling on our streets is a good thing! If this influx in water were to enter the sewer system all at once, it can cause sewer backups in your home.
Help us reduce the risk of street flooding in your neighbourhood by:
- Clearing catch basins: Use our interactive map to locate the catch basin nearest you and check it regularly for clogs.
- Clearing maintenance hole covers: Remove debris that may be on top of the maintenance hole cover but do not remove the cover itself! The covers help to limit water entering the sewer to ensure it doesn’t overwhelm the system.
If you come across a flooded street:
- Avoid travelling through the flooded area
- Contact 3-1-1 to report the roadway flooding
- Reach out to friends or family in the area to warn them about the flooding and offer assistance
What if there is a power outage?
Battery-operated (or crank) radios are an important tool for you during a power outage.
The City shares critical information and public service announcements with our local news media so that they can include it in their news coverage.
If there is a power outage and you can’t access information online, tune into your local news radio channel for the latest information. You can also access information in your local daily or community newspaper.
Look out for each other
During emergencies, you can act as a vital line for those who need assistance or important information. Have a conversation now with neighbours, friends and family members about how to stay in touch with each other in the event of an emergency.
Plan to check in on neighbours, friends and family members – especially those who are vulnerable – to see if they need assistance and update them with the latest information and instructions.
Equipment to have on hand
Check your emergency preparedness kit to make sure it’s stocked with:
- Battery or crank powered radio
- Fresh batteries
- Prepaid phone card
- Mobile phone charger
- Landline telephone that does not require electricity
Additional resources
For more information about:
- Emergency preparedness visit ottawa.ca.
- Staying in touch during emergencies visit getprepared.gc.ca
- Making an emergency plan, visit Be prepared for an emergency on ontario.ca
For latest information on the storm, visit our heavy rainfall page on ottawa.ca.
