Extreme Weather
Severe weather refers to any dangerous meteorological phenomena with the potential to cause damage, serious social disruption, or loss of human life.
How will you know when severe weather is coming?
- Environment Canada issues a warning when severe weather is about to or is occurring.
- A watch is issued when conditions are favourable for the development of severe weather.
- A special weather statement is issued for unusual weather events that may be an inconvenience or may be a potentially hazardous situation in the long term forecast.
- Alert Ready: Canada’s New Emergency Alert System
Heavy snowfall and ice can make the roads treacherous and interrupt the power supply.
Safety tips
- Avoid unnecessary travel.
- Wear layers of lightweight clothing, mittens and a hat (preferably one that covers your ears).
- Wear waterproof, insulated boots to keep your feet warm and dry and to keep from slipping on ice and snow.
- Regularly check for frostbite — numbness or white areas on your face and body (ears, nose, cheeks, hands and feet in particular).
- Avoid overexertion when shoveling snow by taking frequent breaks.
- Bring pets inside and move livestock to sheltered areas with non-frozen drinking water.
Winter Driving
Stay safe on the road this winter by:
- Getting a maintenance checkup to make sure your vehicle is winter-ready
- Keeping your fuel tank at least half full to help reduce moisture in the fuel system and add weight to the vehicle
- Making sure you have an ice-scraper and washer fluid that works down to -40oC
- Putting Winter Tires on your vehicle
- Checking conditions before you leave
- Putting together a winter survival kit to keep it in your vehicle and include:
- charged phone
- water and non-perishable food
- flashlight
- blanket and warm clothes
- jumper cables
- shovel
- traction mats or sand
- candles and a lighter or matches
For more winter driving tips visit: https://www.ontario.ca/page/winter-driving
Extreme Cold Warnings
Southwestern Public Health (SWPH) issues cold weather alerts when Environment Canada forecasts an air temperature below -15˚C or a wind chill below -20˚C. Weather alerts are posted to the SWPH website and social media channels.
Extreme heat can be dangerous for everyone, especially people who work outdoors, the elderly, some people with disabilities, and children, particularly infants.
Safety Tips
If you feel dizzy, weak or overheated:
- go to a cool place
- sit or lie down
- drink water
- wash your face with cool water
If you don’t feel better soon, seek medical help immediately.
If you are indoors:
- stay indoors to limit sun exposure
- take frequent cool showers or baths
- stay on lower floors if there’s no air conditioning
- drink water and eat light, regular meals — avoid using salt
If you are outdoors:
- spend the hottest part of the day in air conditioned public buildings (e.g., mall, library, cooling station)
- drink water every 15 to 20 minutes even if you aren’t thirsty
- dress in light-coloured, loose-fitting clothing covering as much of your skin as possible
- wear a wide-brimmed hat to protect your face
- wear full UVA and UVB protection sunglasses
- apply sunscreen with SPF 15 or higher 20 minutes before going outside
- apply lip balm with an SPF 15 or higher
(Source:https://www.ontario.ca/page/extreme-heat)
Extreme Heat Warnings
Southwestern Public Health issues extreme heat warnings when prolonged exposure to outdoor conditions are dangerous to public health. Learn more here – https://www.swpublichealth.ca/en/community-health/extreme-heat.aspx
Thunderstorms can bring lightning, heavy rain, hail, strong winds and tornadoes.
Safety tips
- be aware of weather conditions and warnings
- seek shelter immediately if a warning has been issued or you believe one could occur
If you are indoors:
- Stay away from windows, skylights and glass doors — strong winds and large hailstones can shatter them.
- Avoid running water in your house — lightning can enter through pipes and plumbing.
- Don’t take showers or baths during a thunderstorm.
- Remain indoors during a thunderstorm and stay inside for at least 30 minutes after the last rumble of thunder.
- Be prepared to seek shelter in a basement or interior room on the lowest level if conditions worsen.
If you are outdoors:
- If you hear thunder, then lightning is close enough to be dangerous — take shelter in an enclosed building or metal-topped vehicle.
- Avoid water, high ground, isolated trees, power lines and picnic shelters — small, open structures don’t protect you from lightning.
- If there’s no shelter, go to a low-lying area away from tall, isolated objects — crouch down and put your feet together — do not lie down.
Thunderstorms may result in power outages. Learn more about how to stay safe during a power outage here.
(Source: https://www.ontario.ca/page/thunderstorm)
A tornado 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. Ontario averages about 12 tornadoes a year, usually between May and September.
Safety tips
- be aware of weather conditions and warnings
- seek shelter immediately if a warning has been issued or you believe one could occur
If you’re indoors:
- The safest place to be is an underground shelter, basement or safe room.
- If you don’t have a basement, go to the centre of an interior room on the lowest level away from corners, windows, doors and outside walls – put as many walls as possible between you and the outside.
- Get under a sturdy piece of furniture — use your arms to protect your head and neck.
- Don’t open windows.
If you’re outdoors:
- don’t wait until you see the tornado to get inside
- if you can’t get inside, lie flat in a ditch or depression and cover your head with your hands
- don’t go under an overpass or bridge – you’re safer in a low, flat area
If you’re in a mobile home:
- Go to the nearest sturdy building or shelter immediately. Mobile homes do not offer much protection from tornadoes.
Floods are the costliest natural hazard in terms of property damage in Ontario. Floods are typically caused by melting snow, ice jams, high lake levels, and heavy rains and thunderstorms. They can happen at any time of year and in urban and rural areas. Flash flooding can occur in rain storms or when a storm drain is plugged – often with little or no warning.
Safety tips
If you are instructed by emergency officials to evacuate, do so immediately.
If you are indoors:
- ensure necessary personal items (medications, and important documents) are secured and easily accessible in case of evacuation
- disconnect electrical appliances — don’t touch electrical equipment if wet or standing in water
- don’t eat food that’s come in contact with flood waters
- ensure your cellphone is charged (safely) – it may be your only means of communication during an evacuation
If you are outdoors:
- if your property is impacted by flooding:
- and your electricity is on, leave the area immediately
- follow your emergency plan and move to a safe place on higher ground
- avoid travelling on roads that are near water, bridges, ravines, embankments, low laying areas and any bodies of water
- don’t drive through, stand or walk in any moving water – you may fall
- if you must walk, look for where the water is not moving and use a stick to check the ground in front of you
- account for all of your family members, keeping children and pets away from floodwaters
What Can You Do?
(Source: https://www.ontario.ca/page/floods)
