Heavy rainfall

Be alert for rainfall warnings and weather changes in your area. Environment Canada issues a heavy rainfall warning when at least 50 mm of rain is expected within one hour. Signs that a storm is approaching include large, dark clouds, strong winds and hail.

If you receive a rainfall warning or spot the signs of an approaching storm, seek shelter indoors or go to higher ground. Be prepared for localized flooding and avoid walking or driving through flooded areas.

Check back here, the City's Facebook and Twitter feeds, or local news media for the latest information.

How to prevent basement flooding

Follow some of these recommended steps to reduce the risk of basement flooding: 

• Seal window wells and cracks in floors, walls and the foundation.
• Slope ground away from the foundation to allow rainwater to flow away from the home.
• Direct downspouts from eaves troughs away from the foundation (minimum of 1.2 metres) or to a rain barrel.
• Disconnect downspouts from the sewer system or foundation drains.
• Don't put grass clipping, leaves, or other debris on the streets as they can plug the drains and prevent proper drainage, particularly during heavy rainfalls. Plugged drains cause water to build up on the street, increasing your risk of basement flooding.
• Ensure foundation drains direct water to the storm sewer or sump pump. Foundation drains should not be connected to the sanitary sewer.
• Ensure the sump pump is connected to the storm sewer or discharges to the ground at least 1.2 metres from the foundation.

Additional resource:

• Weather the storm: Prepare your home from urban flooding

How to prevent localized flooding

Our streets and greenspaces are designed to slowly drain stormwater into our sewers through over 100,000 catch basins located across the city. During heavy rainfall, water pooling on our streets is a good thing! If this influx in water were to enter the sewer system all at once, it can cause sewer backups in your home.

Help us reduce the risk of street flooding in your neighbourhood by: 

• Clearing catch basins: Use our interactive map to locate the catch basin nearest you and check it regularly for clogs.
• Clearing maintenance hole covers: Remove debris that may be on top of the maintenance hole cover but do not remove the cover itself! The covers help to limit water entering the sewer to ensure it doesn't overwhelm the system.

If you come across a flooded street:

• Avoid travelling through the flooded area; you can find road closures on our interactive traffic map, marked with an orange exclamation mark
• Contact 3-1-1 to report the roadway flooding
• Reach out to friends or family in the area to warn them about the flooding and offer assistance

What if there is a power outage?

Battery-operated (or crank) radios are an important tool for you during a power outage.

The City shares critical information and public service announcements with our local news media so that they can include it in their news coverage.

If there is a power outage and you can’t access information online, tune into your local news radio channel for the latest information. You can also access information in your local daily or community newspaper.

Look out for each other

During emergencies, you can act as a vital line for those who need assistance or important information. Have a conversation now with neighbours, friends and family members about how to stay in touch with each other in the event of an emergency.

Plan to check in on neighbours, friends and family members – especially those who are vulnerable – to see if they need assistance and update them with the latest information and instructions.

Equipment to have on hand

Check your emergency preparedness kit to make sure it’s stocked with:

• Battery or crank powered radio
• Fresh batteries
• Prepaid phone card
• Mobile phone charger
• Landline telephone that does not require electricity

Additional resources:

For more information about:

• Emergency preparedness, visit ottawa.ca.
• Staying in touch during emergencies, visit getprepared.gc.ca.
• Making an emergency plan, visit Be prepared for an emergency on ontario.ca.

Knowing how to find the most up-to-date information during an emergency is crucial. Before, during and after an emergency, refer to these local sources of information to keep yourself, your family and your neighbours as informed as possible.

For a full list of information sources, visit our Information sources for emergencies page.

• Call 2-1-1 for information on food banks, free meals, health care, and other social services; you can also get assistance through the 2-1-1 website; this is a provincial service 

• Call 3-1-1 for information on emergency housing and financial assistance; you can also get assistance through the 3-1-1 website; this is a City service 

• Call 9-1-1 for a life-threatening emergency, fire or crime in progress; to contact the Ottawa Police Service for non-emergencies call 613-236-1222. 

• Hydro Ottawa: 613-738-6400, hydroottawa.com 

• Hydro One: 1-888-664-9376, hydroone.com 

• Enbridge: 1-877-362-7434, enbridgegas.com

• Ministry of Labour, Health and Safety: 1-877-202-0008

Survey your home to identify any hazardous conditions, such as: 

• Fires 
• Gas leaks 
• Electrical shorts 
• Broken water lines 
• Any spilled flammable or hazardous materials 

If your home or building shows any sign of partial or full collapse, or a fire, evacuate the premises immediately.  Be aware of any broken glass. 

Utilities – gas, hydro and water 

• If you smell gas in your home or building, evacuate immediately. 
• Stay away from and do not attempt moving any downed electrical wiring. 
• Stay away from any surface touching any downed electrical wiring – especially water. 
• Turn water intake valve for broken water pipes and leaks. 
• If power is out, avoid any injury and fire by  
  • Turning the thermostat(s) down to minimum 
  • Unplug all appliances, electronic equipment and tools to prevent injury, damage to equipment and fire. 
• Power can be restored more easily when the system is not overloaded. 
• Use flashlights if possible. Candles can cause fire when knocked over or in contact with any possible gas leaks. 
• Avoid generating any carbon monoxide. Do not use any charcoal cooking devices or fuel-driven generators indoors – including garages.     
• If you’re in an office or apartment building, do not use the elevators. 

Food and water supplies  

• Any foods in your refrigerator can be used up to four hours after a power failure.
• Any foods in your freezer can be used up to two days after a power failure. 
• It’s recommended to eat canned and bottled juices, and stored or bottled water, or water currently in your hot water tank. 
• Stay posted for any boil water warnings and instructions on how to purify the drinking water.