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Did you know that major flooding is the number one risk in the County of Brant?
There are a number of areas in the County of Brant that are at risk of flooding. While there are limits to what can be done to prevent flooding, there are steps that property owners can take to manage the risks that floods pose to people and properties.
Floods are typically caused by melting snow, ice jams, heavy spring rains and summer thunderstorms. Flash flooding is caused by violent rainstorms or breaking dams — often occurring with little or no warning. Floods can occur at any time of year and can damage property and injure or kill people.
The Grand River Conservation Authority (GRCA) monitors watershed and weather conditions to forecast flooding, and issues flood messages to the County of Brant. You can learn more about the GRCA’s Flood Warning System by visiting their website.
When a flood event is being forecasted by the GRCA, the County of Brant will receive alert messages which will assist the County in warning residents about the potential impacts of the forecasted floods to help keep people and their properties safe.
The County of Brant shares these Flood and Water Safety alerts through:
The County of Brant, in partnership with the GRCA, has created a Flooding brochure, which you can view and download online.
Did you know that flooding is the most expensive extreme weather risk in Canada? Visit the Intact Centre on Climate Adaptation website to learn more.
Flood Prone Areas
The Grand River Conservation Authority has developed detailed mapping of the Grand River in the County of Brant and a small portion of the Nith River in Paris. In the County they have broken the rivers into 3 Sections - highlighted below - that contain 5 Flood Zones in each of the sections.
To find out if your property is vulnerable to flooding, launch the County of Brant Flood Map from the link below and enter your address.
River Sections
The flood map highlights the following sections on the Grand River and the Nith River - the Grand River Conservation Authority will refer to these sections in combination with the expected flood zones when issuing flood messages:
Grand River from Glen Morris to Paris (Penman's Dam)
Grand River from Paris (Penman's Dam) to Onondaga
Nith River in Paris
Flood Zones
Flood Zones, are used to share the impact that flooding could have on properties, there are 5 zones with 1 being the lowest impact and 5 the highest. A Flood Zone 5 is roughly equivalent to the area of impact from a storm the size of Hurricane Hazel (1954). River flow rates that correspond to each Flood Zone are highlighted below - measured by cubic metres per second (m3/s):
Warning Zone
Nith River
Grand River (Glen Morris to Penman's Dam)
Grand River (Penman's Dam to Onondaga)
Zone 1
100 to 180
250 to 450
250 to 450
Zone 2
180 to 290
450 to 600
450 to 600
Zone 3
290 to 330
600 to 1100
600 to 1100
Zone 4
330 to 420
1100 to 1300
1100 to 1800
Zone 5
420 to 920
1300 to 2200
1800 to 2500
Grand River Conservation Authority Flood Map*
View the map in the link below and enter your address to see if your property may be vulnerable to flooding. The map highlights sections of the Grand and Nith Rivers, as well as flood zones.
*The flood map shows when water levels may reach your property line. It does not account for specific buildings on the property and if they will be impacted, please keep this in mind when reviewing the map.
After a severe flood in the 1970’s a system of dikes was installed in the Town of Paris in an effort to reduce the risk of flooding in the Downtown area. The dike system was designed to keep the water flows of the Grand and Nith rivers within their banks during flood events at that time.
Over the years, flood regulation limits have changed and the County of Brant embarked on aParis Flood Mitigation Study that resulted in flood modelling being created using the latest technology. The study also resulted in recommendations being made to enhance the flood protection throughout the downtown area that includes both public and private properties.
The County of Brant continues work toward implementing these recommendations to protect its residents, businesses and critical infrastructure that would be impacted by these severe flooding events.
Watch the modelling videos below for 25-year, 50-year, 100-year and 500-year floods to see how Paris will flood with the current flood mitigation measures in place and the modelling with the recommended flood mitigation measures installed.
Flood Modelling with current flood control measures
Flood Modelling with Proposed Mitigation in place
Be Prepared!
Learn below how to prepare for a flood, what to do when a flood is imminent or occurring, and the steps to take after a flood.
Install a sump pump and zero reverse flow valves in basement floor drains
Get a portable generator and pump
Move important items that may be subject to flooding to upper levels
Consult your electricity and fuel suppliers (oil, natural gas, propane) for instructions on how to safely shut down and protect furnaces and other equipment, and the steps that need to be taken after a flood before restarting equipment
Consult your property insurer about steps you should take if your property is flooded and to ensure that you have appropriate flood coverage and evacuation costs.
Subscribe to the Grand River Conservation Authority flood notifications
If safe to do so, remove valuable items from the basement and lower levels
If you have a generator and/or portable pump, test them and have fuel on hand.
Make sure your sump pump is working
Follow the instructions from your utility supplier (gas, electrical, propane, etc.) to safely shut down and protect furnaces and other appliances
Disconnect electrical appliances. Do not touch electrical equipment if you're wet or standing in water
Prepare to evacuate if necessary and get your Emergency Kit. Emergency vehicles (ambulance, police cars, etc.) may not be able to get to your home
Resist the urge to tour flooded areas
Do not let children and pets near floodwaters or riverbanks
Take your pets and their supplies with you if evacuating
If a road has been closed, obey the signs and take alternate routes. It is an offense to drive on a closed road and could void your insurance. To plan your route, call or visit 511
Do not return home until authorities advise it is safe
Report broken utility lines
Consult your insurer about steps to take if your property is flooded. To learn more, visit the Insurance Bureau of Canada
If you suspect your building has suffered structural damage, contact the building department 519.44BRANT (519.442.7268), 1.855.44BRANT
Exercise caution when re-entering your home. If the main power switch was not turned off prior to flooding, do not re-enter your home until a qualified electrician has determined it is safe to do so
If your main electrical panel was under water, it must be cleaned, dried and tested by a qualified electrician to determine if it is safe. Do not use flooded appliances, electrical outlets, switch boxes or fuse breaker panels until they have been checked by the power company
If natural gas lines were under water, contact your gas supplier before resuming service. If natural gas appliances were under water, have them checked by an approved heating, ventilation and air conditioning contractor
The water in your home could be contaminated with sewage and other pollutants. Contact the Brant County Health Unit for instructions. Do not eat food that's come in contact with flood waters
Other areas in the County of Brant are susceptible to flooding. We encourage residents to be prepared, visit the Planning for an Emergency page on our website for resources to help you plan ahead.
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