As the spring melt approaches, the Town of Huntsville would like to remind all residents and especially those who own property in low-lying areas of how they can best prepare for and lessen the effects of a flood event.
How floods occur
Floods in our area are typically caused by melting snow, warm temperatures, and heavy rain. They usually occur during the spring thaw in late March or early April. Monitoring of weather conditions is critical as rapid fluctuations in temperature, sustained warm weather during the day, combined with increased precipitation can cause flooding.
Are you and your family prepared?
Before a flood
- Make an emergency plan for yourself and loved ones. Arrange for alternative safe accommodations in the event of a flood event. Making plans with friends and family in advance will alleviate extra stress in an emergency if an evacuation is needed. For information on emergency alerts see #AlertMuskoka and Alert Ready (Ontario).
- Build an emergency kit. Everyone should have an emergency survival kit, with the supplies needed to be safe and take care of yourself and your family for at least three days following any emergency. Include essentials like food and water as well as special considerations like medication and pet food. If there are power outages, do you have easy access to a generator? Is your emergency kit kept where you can find it in challenging circumstances such as in the dark?
Be prepared
Inside your home:
- Store personal belongings in sealed bins
- Move documents and keepsakes out of the basement
- Test sump pumps regularly and install a back-up system (for example, battery back-up or generator)
- Put weather protection sealant around basement windows and ground-level doors
- Install check valves in sewer traps to prevent floodwater from backing up into the drains of your home
- Know how to shut off main electrical feed to the building to avoid electrical shock or electrocution. Ensure that your electrical panel is above the flood elevation. Do not attempt to shut off electricity if any water is present. Contact an electrician for guidance
- Never run a generator inside your home or garage, use them outside only in a well-ventilated area.
Outside your home:
- Extend downspouts at least two metres from your home to move water away from the building
- Remove debris that could present danger during flood events
- Secure outdoor furniture and items around piers, docks or boathouses
- Secure your dock to the land
- Move machinery and vehicles such as lawnmowers, snowmobiles and ATVs away from flood-prone areas
- Perform regular maintenance on water drainage systems such as weeping tile, culverts and ditches
- If you have experienced flooding in the past, ensure that you have an adequate supply of sandbags.
During a flood
If a flood is occurring in your community or near your home:
- Avoid travelling on roads that are near bodies of water
- Do not drive through, stand in or walk in moving water
- If you must walk, look for still water and use a stick to check the ground in front of you
- Keep children and pets away from floodwater
- Avoid using the plumbing system if the septic tank or the disposal field is under water
- If you are instructed by emergency officials to evacuate, do so immediately
- Stay informed. Stay tuned to local government, emergency services and news channels for updates.
After a flood
Before returning home, check with your local municipality for information from local public health units, utilities and other community officials working to keep you and your family safe.
- Do not use flooded appliances, electrical outlets, switch boxes or fuse breaker panels until they have been checked by your local authority
- Follow instructions from your local public health unit regarding water in and around your home, which could be heavily contaminated
- When it is safe to do so, have your well water tested before using
- Don’t eat food that has come into contact with flood waters
- Contact your local municipality about debris management programs
- Report broken utility lines to the appropriate authorities
If your property has been damaged:
- You may need special permits to rebuild or restore your property
- You may be eligible for provincial assistance
The Town of Huntsville works closely with the Ministry of Natural Resources and Forestry (MNRF) and other local governments to monitor weather conditions as we enter into the spring season and flood occurrences are more likely to happen. Should conditions indicate a flood occurrence the MNRF provides flood warnings and watches. Stay informed by watching, listening and following local media outlets for flood updates.
