Be Prepared: What you need to know about flooding

File Image: Roads closed in Muskoka due to flooding. (CTV News/Rob Cooper)

With the arrival of warmer weather, the risk of flooding increases as melting snow, heavy rain, and rising water levels threaten homes and infrastructure. Flooding is Ontario’s most costly natural disaster, causing damage to roads, power outages, and shoreline erosion. Officials are urging residents to be prepared.

Floods can occur in both urban and rural areas at any time of year. Flash floods, in particular, can strike suddenly due to heavy rainfall or rapidly melting snow, making them especially dangerous.

Municipalities are encouraging residents to take proactive steps to protect their homes, belongings, and personal safety.

Understanding Flood Risks

Several factors contribute to flooding, including ice jams, high lake levels, and storm surges.

In Muskoka, catch basins play a critical role in flood management by directing excess water into storm water systems that flow into local lakes and rivers. With more than 1,000 catch basins in the region, keeping them clear of debris can help reduce the risk of flooding.

Residents should avoid placing chemicals, construction materials, food waste, and hazardous items in catch basins. If clearing a blocked basin, safety precautions should be followed, such as wearing bright clothing, using a long-handled shovel, and staying off busy roadways.

How to Prepare for a Flood

Taking preventive measures can help minimize damage. Property owners should ensure that downspouts extend at least two metres away from their homes, shovel snow away from foundations, and install weatherproof sealant around basement windows and doors. Gutters, ditches, and drainage systems should be kept clear of debris, and sump pumps should be tested regularly.

For additional protection, homeowners may consider installing check valves in sewer traps to prevent water backup and raising electrical outlets higher on walls to avoid contact with floodwater.

Building a Sandbag Dike

In the event of a flood, sandbags can help create a barrier to divert water away from buildings. Proper construction is key—sandbags should be filled only halfway, laid in alternating directions, and tamped down to ensure stability. The base of a dike should be three times as wide as its height, and individual bags do not need to be tied shut as overlapping will keep the contents secure.

Staying Safe

If an evacuation order is issued, residents should leave immediately. Staying behind can put lives at risk, including those of emergency responders. If evacuation is not required, safety precautions should still be followed.

People should avoid walking or driving through floodwaters, as moving water can be deeper and stronger than it appears. Small appliances and important documents should be moved to upper floors, and electrical equipment should not be touched if wet.

Cleaning Up Safely

Once floodwaters recede, structural damage should be assessed before re-entering a building. Electrical systems, appliances, and food that has come into contact with floodwater should be inspected or discarded. Residents are advised to contact their insurance providers before beginning cleanup and to check with local officials about debris management programs.

Overland flood insurance, which covers damage from heavy rain or melting snow, is not automatically included in home insurance policies. Homeowners should check with their insurance providers to ensure they are covered.

Weather Outlook

Environment Canada issued a special weather statement Wednesday, alerting residents about the potential for flooding with rainfall and mild temperatures in the forecast.

“The frozen ground has a reduced ability to absorb this rainfall,” the national weather agency noted. “Localized flooding in low-lying areas and water pooling on roads is possible.”

Heavy rainfall is expected to persist through the evening followed by “rapidly falling temperatures, snow and blowing snow” on Thursday.