January 10, 2020 — Environment Canada has issued a special weather statement for Toronto on Saturday due to potential significant rainfall. The City of Toronto is advising everyone to take extra care when travelling and to take precautionary steps to protect their property and ensure their safety.
With significant rainfall expected, visibility may be limited. Please walk, bike and drive with caution. Motorists and cyclists should be extremely cautious around areas of high water/ponding, and drivers should be mindful near sidewalks where pedestrians are present.
In the event of a flooded basement
- Call 311 immediately to report basement flooding. During extreme weather conditions residents should expect high call volumes and some delays. Calls will be answered by the first available agent.
- Do not enter a flooded basement. If flooding occurs in your basement and your power is on, call Toronto Hydro at 416-542-8000 to disconnect your power.
- Call your insurance company as soon as possible to report property damage caused by flooding.
- Reduce or eliminate water use in the home (don’t do laundry, wash dishes, flush the toilet, etc.), if you have already experienced a sewer backup or your backwater valve has been activated, as this household water could end up in your basement.
- Be mindful of your health and safety when cleaning a flooded basement. Do not stand in flood water – call a professional for assistance.
Use this as an opportunity to take precautions in advance of the next storm to protect your properties from possible flooding
- Take advantage of the City’s Basement Flooding Protection Subsidy Program, in which the City offers owners of single-family, duplex and triplex residential homes a subsidy of up to $3,400 per property to install flood protection devices.
- Disconnect your downspouts from the sewer system.
- Be sure the grading around your home drains water away from all exterior walls.
- Check for and fix leaks in basement walls, floors, windows and foundations.
- Clear eavestroughs and downspouts of leaves and other debris preventing proper drainage.
More information about basement flooding is available on the City’s website at https://www.toronto.ca/services-payments/water-environment/managing-rain-melted-snow/basement-flooding/.
Check Environment Canada for the latest weather details at https://weather.gc.ca/.