Warning
Use local weather, conservation-authority and municipal emergency information.
Emergency preparedness
A household flood plan should be usable under stress, in darkness and during a power outage.
Preparedness connects warning, decision thresholds, safe movement, essential supplies, communications and recovery contacts. It should reflect the actual occupants and property.
- Ontario-focused
- Plain-language guidance
- Risk reduction, not guarantees
The essential answer
Know how warnings will arrive, what conditions trigger action, which routes remain safe, who needs assistance and when occupants must stay out of a flooded area.
Who this guide supports
Use this page when the property, question or decision matches one of these situations.
- Families preparing before severe weather
- Older adults and households with accessibility needs
- Pet owners and caregivers
- Residents in properties with below-grade living space
Understand the system
Four parts of the decision deserve separate attention.
Decision
Define when to deploy protection, move belongings, leave below-grade spaces or evacuate.
Action
Assign roles for people, pets, medication, documents, utilities and communication.
Recovery
Keep insurer, municipal, restoration and qualified-trade contacts available.
Guidance 1
Design for actual household needs
A plan must account for mobility, language, hearing or vision needs, children, medication, medical devices, pets and transportation.
Do not rely on one person, one phone or one exit route.
- Create primary and backup contacts
- Keep assistive-device power needs in the plan
- Prepare pet carriers and supplies
- Share instructions with trusted neighbours
Guidance 2
Stay out of unsafe water
Floodwater can conceal electrical, structural, contamination, current and debris hazards. Sewage-contaminated spaces require additional precautions.
Do not enter a flooded basement if electricity may be present or conditions are uncertain.
- Know how to contact emergency services
- Keep people away from moving water
- Do not drive through flooded roads
- Wait for qualified safety assessment
Guidance 3
Prepare information as well as supplies
Insurance contacts, identification, medication lists, property inventories, maintenance records and municipal links can be as important as physical supplies.
Keep copies in a protected portable package and secure cloud storage.
- Create a home inventory
- Photograph important equipment
- Save policy and account numbers
- Record utility shut-off locations
Practical workflow
Move from observation to a documented next step.
- 1
Subscribe to official alerts and identify local flood-message sources
- 2
Define household triggers and safe routes
- 3
Prepare supplies, documents and communication backups
- 4
Practice roles and equipment before storm season
- 5
Review the plan after moves, renovations or household changes
Homeowner checklist
Record each completed item and create a follow-up action for anything unresolved.
Continue through the RSM system
Related guidance, programmes and professional pathways.
Official source pathway
Use current public sources for emergency, insurance, programme and technical context.
RSM summarizes and connects information but does not replace the issuing authority. Review the current official page before acting.
Frequently asked questions
Clear limits help homeowners make better decisions.
Should I turn off electricity during a flood?
Only if it can be done safely from a dry location and according to emergency or utility guidance. Do not enter water to reach a panel.
Where should an emergency kit be stored?
Keep it accessible, portable and above likely flood level, with backups for occupants who may not be home.
How do I prepare for a sump-pump outage?
Combine backup pumping or power, alarms, response contacts and a threshold for leaving unsafe areas.
What alerts should I follow?
Use official weather, conservation-authority, municipal and provincial emergency sources relevant to your location.
Editorial and review note
This educational page was prepared by Regional Stormwater Management using official public sources and a risk-reduction framework. It does not provide engineering, legal, insurance or municipal approval. Content is reviewed when official guidance changes and on the RSM editorial schedule.
Recommended next step
Convert the plan into seasonal actions
Use the pre-storm checklist for drainage, equipment, documents and household readiness.