Emergency Preparedness
Emergencies can happen in the form of a natural disaster, health-related outbreak, a technological failure or a deliberate act. Emergency planning helps create awareness, reduce response times and reduce risk.
Public Safety and Emergency Preparedness Canada and other government and municipal organizations offer resources and guides for emergency planning. You should be prepared to look after your family's basic needs for a 72-hour period in case of an unexpected emergency.
Environment and Climate Change Canada also offers the WeatherCan mobile app that provides weather alerts right to your phone to keep you informed.
Know the Risks and Be Prepared
There are five major risks for emergencies in the County of Brant. These include:
Flood |
Hazard InformationFloods are typically caused by melting snow, ice jams, heavy spring rains and summer thunderstorms. Flash flooding is caused by violent rain storms or breaking dams — often occurring with little or no warning. They can damage property and injure or kill people. For more information on flooding and your safety, visit the Provincial Flood Forecasting and Warning Program page.
Please follow these helpful tips from the Grand River Conversation Authority (GRCA) and the Province of Ontario on how to prepare, respond to and recover from a flood: Print or view the Flood brochure and share with your neighbours, family and friends. Do you live in a flood prone area?Visit the Flood Line map to see if you live in a flood prone area or are in the 100-year flood zone. The more you know, the more you can be prepared. A study conducted by the Intact Centre on Climate Adaptation at the University of Waterloo concluded that flooding is the most expensive extreme weather risk in Canada. Prepare your property
When a flood is imminent or occurring
After a flood
Learn more about sandbagging:
Learn about the Paris Flood Mitigation Study and have your say! |
Winter Storms including freezing rain, ice and snow |
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Chemical Spill |
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Thunderstorm |
Hazard InformationLightning kills about nine Canadians each year and seriously injures more than 100 people. Safety Tips
If you are indoors:
If you are outdoors:
If power outage results:Prepare NowTake the following steps so you and your family are prepared in the event of an emergency:
The above information can be found at: www.ontario.ca/page/thunderstorm Environment and Climate Change Canada also offers the WeatherCan mobile app that provides weather alerts right to your phone to keep you informed. |
Tornado |
Hazard informationA tornado (or twister) is a powerful rotating column of wind that can hurt people and damage property. Very large thunderstorms can create many tornadoes. Tornadoes can appear after a heavy rain or hail in a sky that is green, yellow or black. You can check local weather and forecasts online. Safety tips
If you're indoors:
If you're outdoors:
If you're in a mobile home:
If power outage results:Prepare now
The above information can be found at: www.ontario.ca/page/tornadoes Environment and Climate Change Canada also offers the WeatherCan mobile app that provides weather alerts right to your phone to keep you informed. |
While the above emergencies are the highest risk in the County of Brant, it is important to be prepared for all emergencies.
Please review the hazards below to learn how you can protect yourself and your loved ones.
Cyber-Attacks |
Unfortunately in today’s world, cyber-attacks are becoming increasingly more common. What do cyber-attacks look like?Some cyber-attacks may seem obvious to you, such as a suspicious email, but others can be hard to detect. Some of the most common ways criminals try to steal your information include:Hacking: cyber criminals gain access to your device or an organization’s information technology systems to steal your information
Malware: viruses, spyware or adware are placed on your device to steal your information Pharming: cyber criminals redirect an organization’s legitimate website to a similar-looking website that captures the information you enter Phishing: fake emails, text messages and websites asking for your information, such as your social insurance number (SIN) Spam: mass distribution of unwanted messages to you or from you to your contact list Wi-Fi Eavesdropping: captures your online activity over an unsecure Wi-Fi network How can you reduce the risks of a cyber-attack?Practicing regular reviews of your online profile can reduce your exposure to cyber-attacks. Simple steps you can take – such as using strong passwords, changing passwords regularly for each of your devices and services, and updating software to the latest version – may address up to 80 per cent of the risk of compromises due to cyber-attacks. Other things you can do include:
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Dam Failure |
Hazard informationA dam is a structure that holds back water in a river, lake, pond or stream. Dams are made of concrete, timber cribs filled with rocks or steel sheet piling. They can also be formed from a bank of earth or rock fill.
Extreme floods are a primary cause of dam failure. When lake and river levels rise due to extreme rainfall or extensive snow runoff, water levels can exceed the capacity of the dam. If the dam fails, the flood situation gets worse. Safety tipsFor everyone:
Awareness is your best defense. If you notice warning or caution signs at the dam site, follow the instructions, stay back and leave the area. If you live, work, or play near a dam, stay informed by listening to the latest warnings and advisories on the radio and television. Contact the County of Brant and/or 911 immediately if you notice:
If you’re a dam owner:
The above information can be found at www.ontario.ca/page/dam-failures |
Drought |
Hazard informationFactors that affect drought conditions include:
Droughts can lead to:
Stages of low water conditionsThe Ministry of Natural Resources and Forestry and Conservation Authorities monitor precipitation, stream flow and water levels regularly to gauge water conditions. Based on what they learn, they assign one of three warning levels to the situation:
Local government response to drought and low water levels can range from water conservation messaging to water use restrictions. Safety tipsIf you are you are experiencing a drought, follow your local authority instructions for obtaining water. Prepare nowIf you are a homeowner or renter:
If you are a farmer:
If you work in the agricultural or manufacturing industries:
The above information can be found at: www.ontario.ca/page/drought |
Earthquake |
Hazard InformationAn earthquake occurs when energy is released underground through the shifting and breaking of rocks underneath the surface. This can cause rapid and sudden shaking of the earth which last for seconds or several minutes. Earthquakes can cause damage to buildings, roads and bridges, and trigger landslides. Aftershocks are small earthquakes that happen hours, days or weeks after an earthquake. This can further damage buildings, roads and bridges weakened by the earthquake. Safety TipsIf you are indoors:
If you are outdoors:
If you’re in a vehicle:
Prepare Now:Take the following steps so you and your family are prepared in the event of an emergency:
The above information can be found at: www.ontario.ca/page/earthquakes |
Erosion |
Hazard informationA number of factors affect the pace of erosion:
To manage erosion, under Ontario’s Provincial Policy Statement, the County of Brant must have policies in the land use planning documents that direct land development away from hazardous areas. Safety tipsKeep yourself and family away from steep and unstable slopes. If camping or hiking be aware of your surroundings and stay in marked camp sites and trails. Prepare nowIf you want to buy property:
If you own property:
GlossaryRegrading is the process of grading for raising and/or lowering the levels of land. Such a project can also be referred to as a regrade The above information can be found at: www.ontario.ca/page/erosion |
Extreme Heat |
Hazard InformationExtreme heat can make you sick with:
The County of Brant provides cooling stations during extreme heat. If an "Extreme Heat Alert" is in effect, check with the County of Brant to locate what's available near you. Safety TipsIf you feel dizzy, weak or overheated:
If you don't feel better soon, seek medical help immediately If you are indoors:
If you are outdoors:
Prepare NowTake the following steps so you and your family are prepared in the event of an emergency:
The above information can be found at: www.ontario.ca/page/extreme-heat Environment and Climate Change Canada also offers the WeatherCan mobile app that provides weather alerts right to your phone to keep you informed. |
Forest Fire |
Hazard informationWhile forest fires can be dangerous to people and property, being prepared in advance and knowing what actions to take can better protect you. For more information on forest fires and your safety, visit the Ministry of Natural Resources and Forestry. For more information on forest fires and your health, visit the Ministry of Health and Long Term Care. Safety tipsIf you are indoors:
If you are told to leave your home:
If you are outdoors during a wildfire:
Tips on how to be Fire Smart
If power outage resultsPrepare now
The above information can be found at: www.ontario.ca/page/forest-fires-safety-information |
Landslide and Sinkhole |
Hazard informationMany landslides occur within Ontario. These events can damage property and hurt people. Sinkholes, landslides and groundwater contamination can happen due to:
Risk areas include bedrock composed of unusual rock formations or land that’s composed of unstable soils. Areas with unstable soils and bedrock include:
Safety tipsKeep yourself and family well away from landslides and sinkholes. Prepare nowIf you live in a risk area or are buying or building property:
The above information can be found at: www.ontario.ca/page/landslides-and-sinkholes |
Nuclear Incident |
Hazard InformationThe chance of a serious accident at a nuclear facility in Ontario is very low. There are 5 nuclear facilities located in and around Ontario:
Nuclear Implementing Plans
Safety TipsPeople who live or work within 10 km of a nuclear reactor should know what to do if there's an accident:
Have your potassium iodide (KI) pills nearby.
Emergency Bulletins will be issued by Ontario through local radio and television stations, and social media. These bulletins will:
Normally people are evacuated from an area well before radiation is released into the atmosphere – so radioactive contamination is very unlikely. If there is a concern, you may be asked to:
If you're told to leave your home:
Prepare Now
The above information can be found at: www.ontario.ca/page/nuclear-incident |
Oil and Gas |
Hazard InformationThe very first commercial oil production in North America started in Ontario in 1858. Since that time, many tens of thousands of wells have been drilled in the province, predominantly in southern Ontario. Today, we have more than 3000 active oil and gas wells in Ontario. Some orphaned wells may not have any visible infrastructure above ground. The following are potential hazards associated with oil and gas wells:
The Ministry of Natural Resources and Forestry’s Petroleum Operations Section (POS) develops and enforces the Oil, Gas and Salt Resources Act, regulations and provincial operating standards. Safety tipsPeople who are property owners should be mindful:
Information about wells can be obtained through the Oil, Gas and Salt Resources Library. Prepare nowFor more information contact the Petroleum Operations Section by telephone at 519-873-4634 or email POSrecords@ontario.ca. The above information can be found at: www.ontario.ca/page/oil-and-gas |
Pandemic |
Hazard InformationPandemic occurs when an infectious disease spreads throughout the global population. It is different than an epidemic, which is usually contained within a region or country. The Ministry of Health and Long-term Care works with local public health units and healthcare providers to prepare for a flu pandemic:
Pandemic occurs when an infectious disease spreads throughout the global population. Pandemics may arise from a new strain of influenza. Since the virus is new, the human population is likely to have little to no immunity against it. Safety Tips
Prepare NowAdd these items to your emergency survival kit:
The above information can be found at: www.ontario.ca/page/pandemic Resources and Information: |
Power Outage |
For local power outage information, visit:Before a power outage
People with disabilities or others requiring assistanceConsider how you may be affected in a power outage, including:
During a power outage
Tips:
Use of home generatorsHome generators are handy for backup electricity in case of an outage, but must only be used in accordance with the manufacturer's guidelines. A back-up generator may only be connected to your home's electrical system through an approved transfer panel and switch that has been installed by a qualified electrician. Never plug a generator into a wall outlet as serious injury can result when the current produced by the home generator is fed back into the electrical lines, and transformed to a higher voltage. This can endanger the lives of utility employees working to restore the power. To operate a generator safely:
If you have to evacuateEvacuation is more likely during winter months, when plummeting temperatures can make a house inhabitable. Although a house can be damaged by low temperatures, the major threat is to the plumbing system. If a standby heating system is used, check to see that no part of the plumbing system can freeze. If the house must be evacuated, protect it by taking the following precautions:
After a power outage
The above information can be found at: www.getprepared.gc.ca/cnt/hzd/pwrtgs-bfr-en.aspx |
Emergency Directives
Local authorities may issue directives to protect the public and may include: Shelter-in-Place and Evacuation.
Shelter-in-Place |
Sheltering is appropriate when conditions require that you seek protection in your home, place of employment or other location when there is a threat to personal safety (i.e. hazardous spills, dangerous predators). Local authorities will advise you to stay in your home or shelter-in-place until the emergency is over. Emergencies that require shelter-in-place include:
If the emergency is related to an environmental hazard:
The above information can be found at: www.getprepared.gc.ca/cnt/hzd/drng-en.aspx |
Evacuation |
EvacuationAuthorities will not ask you to leave your home unless they have reason to believe you are in danger. If you are directed to evacuate, take:
Pets are not allowed in some emergency shelters, so plan in advance for a pet-friendly location. Protect your home:
If you have time:
If you are driving in emergency conditions:
The above information can be found at: www.getprepared.gc.ca/cnt/hzd/drng-en.aspx |
Make a Plan and Prepare your Emergency Kit
If you are a senior or someone who may need additional assistance during an emergency, visit the 'Persons Requiring Additional Assistance' webpage for additional resources. We also offer additional resources for farmers. Visit the 'Farm Animals' webpage for additional resources.
Make an Emergency Plan | ||||||
The 5 step guide to Emergency Planning for Your Family will guide you through emergency planning. |
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Prepare your Emergency Kit | ||||||
Emergency Preparedness Starts with You - Pamphlet Emergency Checklist - Bookmark
Emergency Survival Kit (72 Hours)Everyone should keep a survival kit of crucial supplies in case an emergency happens and utilities are out, roads are closed or you can't leave your home. Prepare to take care of yourself and your family for up to three days. Make sure everyone in your family knows where your emergency kit items are stored.
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Pets are members of the family too! | ||||||
Pets are members of the family. Make sure to include your pets when developing your family emergency plan. Making arrangements before an emergency will increase your pet’s chances for survival and ability to cope. assemble a pet emergency survival kit and be ready to take your pet and their kit with you in the event you have to evacuate. |
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Other useful resources: | ||||||
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Be Informed
- Subscribe to the Grand River Conversation Authority's flood notification system
- Download the Environment Canada weather alert app for the most up to date information on floods and weather.
- Subscribe to County of Brant's website News, Facebook, Twitter and Instagram
- Listen to local media
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