Being prepared can prevent injury or death during severe weather. Watch the weather and monitor radio stations that broadcast weather bulletins.
Windstorms involve high winds and violent gusts but little to no rain.
Environment Canada will issue a severe thunderstorm or tornado warning if heavy rain, high winds, tornadoes, hail or intense lightning are present or expected. The storm’s expected motion and developments are also provided in the weather warning. If you hear a weather warning and are in the area specified, take appropriate precautions.
If you can hear thunder, you are within striking distance of lightning. Take shelter immediately.
Tornadoes are unmistakable rotating columns of high-velocity wind that bring devastation to anything in their path. Ontario averages 20 tornadoes per year. Most tornadoes occur in June and July although the season extends from April to September. They can occur at any time of the year. They frequently develop in mid- afternoon to early evening.
Environment Canada warns the public about tornadoes but because they are hard to predict and can move at up to 70 km per hour, a tornado can strike without warning. Typically, a tornado is preceded by a severe thunderstorm and is associated with black skies, strong wind and heavy rain or hail. Sometimes the sky will turn an unusual green colour and the wind will sound like a freight train.
Even if you feel your community has a low risk of flooding, remember that anywhere it rains, it can flood. Just because you haven't experienced a flood in the past, doesn't mean you won't in the future. Flood risk isn't solely based on history; it's based on a number of factors including rainfall, topography, flood-control measures, river-flow and changes due to new construction and development.
To prepare for a flood, you should:
When a flood is likely in your area
If you must prepare to evacuate
If you have to leave your home
For further guidelines of what to do if your basement floods:
Your home has been flooded. Here are some things to remember in the days ahead:
Entering a wet basement could be hazardous! Before you enter your basement, consider the following:
Repairing a home that has experienced extensive water damage or has been flooded with sewage-contaminated waters may require a professional.
Mould may lead to health problems. Get more information on mould.