Do you know what to do if your community experienced a flood?
Floods happen in Durham Region, and climate change is bringing wetter and wilder weather to the area. This weather can result in uncertain, unstable, and more extreme flooding conditions affecting everyone year-round, even if you don’t live near a river or lake. Flooding can cause private and public property damage, interruptions to public transportation, unsafe road conditions, financial losses, and health and mental health impacts.
Although flooding affects everyone, some residents may be more vulnerable to flood hazards, including people:
- In flood prone areas
- With health conditions or disabilities
- Over the age of 65
- Who are living on a low income
- From ethnic or racial minority communities
Increase your community’s resilience
Everyone has a role when it comes to staying safe before, during, and after a flood. Here are steps you can take to get Flood Ready and ensure that you, your family, and your community are prepared to handle future floods:
- Learn about flood messaging and watershed conditions from your local Conservation Authority.
- Have an emergency plan and 72-hour emergency kit for you and your family.
- Learn about ways to make your home more resilient through FloodSmart Canada.
- Talk to your insurance broker about flood insurance.
- Speak with neighbours about the above steps and create a plan to support each other in an emergency, especially those who may be more vulnerable.
Avoiding flooding in your home
Do you live in a home with a basement or cellar? Then it can flood. Basement flooding is, unfortunately, a common occurrence for many renters and property owners in Canada. In addition, climate change is bringing wetter and wilder weather to Durham Region, resulting in uncertain, unstable, and more extreme flooding conditions. The good news is many types of basement flooding can be avoided.
Water can enter and flood your basement in several ways. Basement flooding is most likely to occur during periods of heavy rainfall, or when snow is melting rapidly during a spring thaw. Your basement can be wet due to the following:
- A leak or crack in your home’s basement walls;
- Poor lot drainage;
- Failure of the weeping tiles (foundation drains); and
- Overflowing eavestroughs or leaking/plugged downspouts.
Talk to your insurance broker about flood insurance
Flooding can be extremely costly. One step that you can take to reduce these costs are to acquire flood insurance. This can seem complicated, however resources are available to help you make the right decision for your home. Insurance is not only for homeowners, and may also be useful for renters.
It is important to ask your insurance broker questions about flooding. Some of these are included below:
- Does my homeowners insurance cover flooding?
- Which types of unexpected events and disasters are covered or not covered by my home insurance policy?
- Is additional coverage available for unexpected events and disasters that aren’t covered by my policy?
- Are there any limits or exclusions for add-on coverage for unexpected events or disasters?
- What is my home’s level of risk for different types of unexpected events and disasters?
- What areas of the home will my flood insurance cover?
Visit the Government of Canada's website on home insurance and the Insurance Bureau of Canada's website for more information.
Reduce your risk of basement flooding and make your home more resilient
First, find out if your home is located within the floodplains by checking the online map. Next, get flood ready and reduce your risk of basement flooding and the cost of clean-up by following these steps.
Maintain your home’s flood protection features at least twice per year
- Remove debris from nearest storm drain or ditch & culvert
- Clean out eavestroughs
- Clean out your backwater valve
Keep water out of your basement
- Extend downspouts and sump discharge pipes to direct water at least 2 m away from your foundation or to the nearest drainage swale
- Install window well covers and window wells that are 10-15 cm above the ground and sealed at the foundation
- Install water-resistance basement windows
Prepare to remove any water from your basement as quickly as possible
- Remove obstructions to the basement floor drain
- Install a back-up sump pump and power source
Protect personal belongings in your basement
- Store valuables in watertight containers or remove from basement
- Store hazardous materials (paints, chemicals) in watertight containers or remove
- Raise electronics off the floor of the basement
Resources
Explore the Flood Ready Durham website and check out the resources below for more information on how you can protect yourself and others you care about:
