Types of Emergencies

Before a heat alert

• Create an emergency plan and discuss extreme heat safety tips with your household.
• Put together an emergency kit with:
  • Water;
  • Sunscreen with a high sun protection factor (S.P.F.); and
  • Sunglasses.
• In warmer months, visit:
  • Environment Canada's website for weather and humidex reports; and
  • The Ontario Ministry of the Environment website for smog alerts.
• Prepare your home:
  • If you have a central air conditioning unit, check air conditioning ducts for proper insulation.
  • If you do not have central air, consider installing window air conditioners and insulating if necessary.
  • Close any floor heat registers nearby and use a circulating or box fan to spread cool air.

During a heat alert

If you are indoors:

• Stay indoors as much as possible to limit exposure to the sun.
• Take frequent cool showers or baths.
• There are ways to keep your home cool even without an air conditioner.
  • Close curtains or blinds during the day,
  • Open windows to cool your household in the evening,
  • Stay on the lowest floor out of the sunshine, and
  • Use a fan.
• Try to avoid using the oven or other hot appliances.
• Turn off lights, computers, stereos, televisions when not being used.
• Check on family, friends, and neighbours who do not have air conditioning and who may need assistance.
• Stay in air-conditioned rooms, at home, a friend's place.

If you are outdoors:

• Drink plenty of water.
• Seek shade and wear light-coloured, loose-fitting clothing, sunglasses and a hat.
• Apply sunscreen with a high sun protection factor (S.P.F.) often.
• Try to reschedule or plan outdoor activities during cooler parts of the day.
• Consider spending the hottest part of the day in public buildings with air conditioning.
• Avoid strenuous physical activities.
• If working or doing physical activity outdoors, take extra breaks, drink lots of water and wear less gear, if possible.
• If feeling dizzy, weak or overheated, go to a cool place. Sit or lie down, drink water and wash your face with cool water. If you do not feel better soon, seek medical help immediately.

Never leave people or pets inside a parked vehicle. Outside temperatures of +23 C /+73 F can become dangerously hot inside a vehicle, with temperatures becoming higher than +50 C/ +122 F inside a vehicle, leading to severe illness and death. Anyone seeing a person or pet unattended in a hot vehicle at any time should call 911 immediately.

Power outages:

Extreme heat can overload the electric power system, resulting in a power outage.

After a heat alert

• Review and update the extreme heat conditions plan with your household.
• Replenish your emergency kit.

Before a flood

• Develop household emergency plans, and create an emergency kit. Consider any accessibility needs.

• Review and discuss the safety tips with your entire household to make sure everyone understands what to do in the event of heavy rains and flooding.
• Stay informed.
• Put weather protection sealant around basement windows and ground-level doors.
• Install "check valves" in sewer traps to prevent floodwater from backing up into the drains of your home.
• Install the drainage for downspouts a sufficient distance from your home to ensure water moves away from the building.
• Keep instructions for shutting off gas and water valves handy and read them carefully.

During a flood

• Follow your emergency plans.

• Get your emergency kit.
• Make sure you are safe before assisting others. If able, check on vulnerable friends, neighbours and family.
• Check on pets.

If indoors

• If told to evacuate, do so immediately.
• Move essential items, documents and keepsakes to an upper floor.
• Do not enter the basement if water has risen above the electrical outlets until a qualified electrician has determined it is safe to do so.
• Turn off utilities at the main switches or valves if instructed to do so by local officials. Disconnect electrical appliances. Do NOT attempt to shut off the electricity if any water is present. Water and live electrical wires can be lethal. Leave your home immediately.
• Do not eat fresh food if exposed to floodwaters.

If you are outdoors:

• Do not walk, swim, or drive through floodwaters.
• Be aware that flash flooding may occur. If there is any possibility of a flash flood, move immediately to higher ground. Keep children away from floodwater.
• Stay at least ten metres from downed power lines.
• Stay off of bridges over fast-moving water
• If your vehicle is trapped in rapidly moving water, stay inside.

During severe flooding, your household may experience a power outage. Additionally, you may receive Shelter in Place or Evacuation instructions to protect your household.

After a flood

Re-entering your home:

• Do not return home until authorities have advised that it is safe
• Inspect your home is structurally safe; look for
  • buckled walls or floors;
  • watch for holes in the floor;
  • broken glass; and
  • dangerous debris.
• Flooded forced-air heating ducts and return-duct pans should be cleaned or replaced.
• Replace filters and insulation inside furnaces, water heaters, refrigerators and freezers if they have been wet or replace the equipment.
• Replace flooring that has been damaged by floodwater or sewage.

If you have water contact or damage to your electrical system:

• Hire a Licensed Electrical Contractor to determine whether it is safe to re-enter or restore the power to your home if water in your basement is above electrical outlets, baseboard heaters, furnaces, or electrical panels.
• Do not use flooded appliances, electrical outlets, switch boxes or fuse-breaker panels until your local utility has checked them.
• Visit the Electrical Safety Authority's website for more information.

Water:

• Flood water can be heavily contaminated with sewage and other pollutants. If you suspect that the drinking water has been contaminated through colour, odour or taste, do not drink it.
• Dispose of household items that have been flood-damaged according to local regulations.
• Have your water tested before using it, if you have a well.

Mould:

• Mould can lead to serious health problems. You may need to have your home professionally cleaned to be covered by insurance. Check with your insurance company.
• If you are cleaning up in a room where mould is present, wear a facemask and disposable gloves.
• To minimize mould growth, move items to a cool, dry area within 48 hours and set up fans.
• Alternatively, textiles, furs, paper and books can be frozen until treated.
• Wet mould will smear if wiped. Let it dry, and then brush it off outdoors.
• To kill mould spores, lightly mist items with rubbing alcohol.

Food and medicine:

• Wash and disinfect all undamaged canned goods.
• Dispose of any medicines, cosmetics and other toiletries exposed to flood water.
• Dispose of any of the following food items exposed to flood water:
  • contents of freezer or refrigerator, including all meats, fresh fruit and vegetables;
  • all boxed foods;
  • all bottled drinks and products in jars, including home preserves; and
  • cans with large dents or that reveal seepage

Documentation:

• Store valuable papers that have been damaged in a freezer until they are needed (After the cleanup, consult a lawyer to determine the retention of flood-damaged documents or just the information).
• Record details of flood damage by photograph or video, if possible.
• Register the amount of damage to your home with your insurance agent and local municipality immediately.

Emergency plans and kits:

• Review and discuss what to do in the event of a future emergency. Update your household emergency plan if needed.
• Replenish your emergency kit.

Learn more at Get Prepared, Floods webpage.

How will I be notified of a serious accident?

Durham Region's public alerting system is in place for the 10-kilometre area around the Darlington and Pickering Nuclear Generating Stations. The public alerting system will warn residents and businesses in the unlikely event of a nuclear emergency by:

View our emergency communications page for additional ways to stay informed.

Learn more at Emergency Management Ontario.

Before a nuclear accident

• Ensure that your household has an emergency plan and emergency kits in place. Consider accessibility needs.

• Learn more about Durham Region's Nuclear Public Safety with your entire household. Include copies of Provincial and Regional nuclear procedures and O.P.G. nuclear safety guide in your emergency kit.
• In advance, obtain free supplies of K.I. pills.
• Subscribe to our public notices, and Emergency and Severe Weather Updates news feeds.

During a nuclear accident

Stay calm and do not evacuate unless advised to do so.

Avoid using the phone unless reporting a 911 emergency.

What to do: Go, Listen, Follow

In the unlikely event of a nuclear emergency, you will be notified by the Province through its public alerting system:

View our emergency communications page for additional ways to stay informed.

Who's in charge?

• Onsite - Nuclear power plant operators are in charge of responding to the situation onsite.
• Offsite - The Provincial Government leads the offsite response to a nuclear emergency. The Provincial Government works with the Durham Region and the City of Oshawa to protect the public and respond to a nuclear emergency.

Keeping your family safe

Stay informed through emergency broadcasts on local radio and television stations and social media as well as on our Emergency Alerts webpage. You may be asked to:

• shelter in place or evacuate;
• report to a reception centre for monitoring; and/or
• take K.I. pills.

If you were outside when the nuclear emergency occurred, remove your clothes as soon as possible and seal them in a plastic bag. Then, rinse your hair and body in the shower and put on clean clothes from a closed drawer or closet.

After a nuclear accident

• Review and discuss what to do in the event of a future emergency. Update your household emergency plan if needed.
• Replenish your emergency kit.

Before a power outage

• Review your household's emergency plan and ensure an emergency kit is in place. Consider accessibility needs.
• Subscribe to our public notices, and Emergency and Severe Weather Updates news feeds.

Prepare your home:

• If you have a wood-burning fireplace, have the chimney cleaned every fall.
• Review the operating procedures and power requirements if you have an emergency generator. Never use home generators indoors.
• If you obtain a non-electric standby stove or heater, ensure it is not dependent on an electric motor, electric fan, or an electric device to function. It is essential to vent the stove or heater with the type of chimney flue specified.

People with disabilities or others requiring assistance:

Consider any accessibility considerations and ensure that your emergency plan includes:

• a self-help network to assist and check on you during an emergency
• an evacuation route - without elevator service (if applicable)
• plans for a backup power supply for medical equipment (if applicable)
• a list of medical conditions, medications and dosages, and medical equipment
• If you live in a high rise, advise the property management that assistance may be needed to stay in your apartment or if there is an evacuation

For additional tips, review our Emergency preparedness information and the Government of Canada's Emergency Preparedness Guide for People with Disabilities/Special Needs.

During a power outage

• Follow your emergency plans.
• Get your emergency kit.
• Make sure you are safe before assisting others. If able, check on vulnerable friends, neighbours and family.
• Stay informed.

Keeping your family safe

Instructions will be communicated through emergency broadcasts on local radio, television and social media, and on our Emergency and Severe Weather Updates. You may be asked to shelter in place or evacuate.

Consider the following:

• Have flashlights and back-up batteries readily available. Be mindful of the battery life on phones.
• To prevent damage from a power surge when restored, turn off tools, appliances (for example, stoves, ovens, coffeemakers) and electronic equipment, and turn the thermostat(s) for the home heating system down.
• Never use charcoal or gas barbecues, camping heating equipment, or home generators indoors.
• To reduce fire risk, use flashlights, glow sticks, or battery-operated lanterns instead of candles. If using candles, use proper candleholders. Never leave lit candles unattended and keep them out of reach of children. Always extinguish candles before going to bed.
• Do not open your freezer or fridge unless it is necessary. A full freezer will keep food frozen for 24 to 36 hours if the door remains closed.
• If you have to leave your home, keep in mind that traffic lights, traffic signals and streetlights may not be operational.

To report a power outage or downed power lines

Report power outages to Oshawa Power

Call: 905-723-4623

Website: opuc.on.ca

Email: [email protected]

Follow Oshawa Power updates on Twitter or Facebook and monitor the outage map.

Community members are reminded not to approach downed power wires and never touch power lines as they could be charged (live) and cause electrocution.

After a power outage

• Check food in the refrigerator, freezers and cupboards for signs of spoilage. If a freezer door has been kept closed, food should stay frozen for 24 to 36 hours, depending on the temperature. When food begins to defrost (usually after two days), cook it or throw it out.
• Stay far back from loose or dangling electrical wires or downed power lines.
• Turn on the water supply. Close lowest valves/taps first and allow air to escape from upper taps.
• Ensure that the water heater is filled before turning on its power.
• Electrical equipment could be dangerous if your power outage was due to flooding. For important information about electrical safety during floods, visit the Electrical Safety Authority's website.
• Reset clocks, automatic timers, and alarms.
• Review and update your family emergency plan if needed.
• Replenish your emergency kit.
• Check for damage to your home. Check with your insurance provider to see if you have insurance for damages.

For more clean-up tips after a power outage, visit:

• Get Prepared, Power outages

Before a storm

• Review your household's emergency plan and ensure an emergency kit (home and vehicle) is in place. Consider accessibility needs.
• Subscribe to our public notices, and Emergency and Severe Weather Updates news feeds.

Prepare your family and home

• Stock up on heating fuel and ready-to-eat food, as well as battery-powered or wind-up flashlights and radios - and extra batteries.
• Trim dead branches and cut down dead trees to reduce the danger of these falling onto your house during a storm.
• Before a severe thunderstorm, unplug radios and televisions - listen for weather updates on a battery-powered radio.
• If heavy rain is forecast, check the drainage around the house to reduce the possibility of basement flooding after heavy rain.
• If indoors, stay away from windows, doors and fireplaces.
• Go to a sheltered area you and your family chose for your emergency plan.
• If officials advise you to evacuate, do so. Take your emergency kit with you.

During a storm

Keeping your family safe

Instructions will be communicated through emergency broadcasts on local radio and social media and on our Emergency Alerts webpage. You may be asked to shelter in place or evacuate.

Consider the following:

• Secure everything that might be blown around or torn loose - indoors and outdoors.
• If indoors, stay away from windows, doors and fireplaces. Depending on the storm's severity and the forecast, consider going to a sheltered area that you chose in your emergency plan.
• You can use a cellular telephone during a severe storm, but it is not safe to use a landline telephone.
• Never go out in a boat during a storm. If you are on the water and see bad weather approaching, head for shore immediately. Always check the marine and weather forecasts before leaving.
• If you are in a vehicle, stop away from trees or power lines that may fall. Stay there.
• On a farm, the effects of severe storms on livestock are lessened by moving animals to avoid the storm.
• Household heating: The City's Adequate Heat By-Law requires rented or leased living accommodations to have a minimum air temperature of at least 22 degrees Celsius between September 1 to June 15.
• If you see or know someone in need of immediate emergency shelter, call 9-1-1 or visit the Region of Durham's Emergency Shelters webpage. Emergency shelters may expand their services during severe weather conditions, and the Homelessness Support System will alert unsheltered residents of extreme cold weather and help them take appropriate precautions.

During a severe storm, you may experience:

• Power Outage
• Flooding
• Tornado

During a blizzard:

• Outdoor activities: Consider rescheduling or limiting time outdoors during colder temperatures. If you go outside, dress in layers, cover exposed skin and stay dry. Learn more about protective actions you can take to be prepared for the cold.
• Do not try to walk to another building unless there is a rope to guide you or something you can follow.
• If you must travel during a winter storm, do so during the day and let someone know your route and arrival time.
• If your vehicle is stuck in a blizzard or snowstorm, remain calm and stay in your vehicle. Allow fresh air by opening the window slightly on the sheltered side (away from the wind). Run the vehicle engine for about 10 minutes every half-hour if the exhaust system works well. Beware of exhaust fumes and check the exhaust pipe periodically to ensure snow is not blocking it. Remember: carbon monoxide fumes are odourless.
• Keep hands and feet warm by exercising periodically. Try to keep moving to avoid falling asleep. If you try to shovel the snow from around your vehicle, avoid overexerting yourself.

During hail:

• Take cover when hail begins to fall. Do not go out to cover plants, vehicles or garden furniture or to rescue animals. Hail comes down at great speed, especially when accompanied by high winds. Although no one in Canada has ever been killed by hail, it has seriously injured people.
• When a hailstorm hits, stay indoors, and keep yourself and your pets away from windows, glass doors and skylights, which can shatter if hit by hailstones. Avoid using the telephone during a storm, and do not touch metal objects like stoves, radiators, metal pipes, and sinks.
• When a hailstorm hits, find shelter and avoid underpasses or any low-lying areas that may flood.

During an ice storm:

• Ice from freezing rain accumulates on branches, power lines and buildings. If outside, pay attention to branches or wires that could break due to the weight of the ice. Ice sheets could also do the same.
• Learn more about what to do during a power outage and how to report a power outage.
• Never touch power lines. A hanging power line could be charged (live), resulting in electrocution.
• When freezing rain is forecast, avoid driving. Even a small amount of freezing rain can make roads extremely slippery. Wait several hours after freezing rain ends, so that road maintenance crews have enough time to spread sand or salt on icy roads.
• Rapid onsets of freezing rain combined with the risks of blizzards increase the chances for extreme hypothermia. If you live on a farm, move livestock promptly to a shelter where feed is available. Forage is often temporarily inaccessible during and immediately after ice storms. Animal reactions to ice storms are similar to that of blizzards.

During lightning:

• If you can see lightning or hear thunder, you are in danger of being hit. Seek shelter immediately in either an enclosed building or a hard-topped vehicle.
• If you are in an open area, do not lie flat. Crouch down with your feet close together and your head down (the "leap-frog" position). Minimizing your contact with the ground reduces the risk of being electrocuted by a ground charge.
• Wait 30 minutes after the last lightning strike in a severe storm before venturing outside again.
• Do not ride bicycles, motorcycles, tractors, golf carts or use metal shovels or golf clubs because they may conduct electricity.

During a thunderstorm:

• Stay indoors.
• Stay away from items that conduct electricity, such as corded telephones, appliances, sinks, bathtubs, radiators and metal pipes.
• Unplug radios and televisions. Listen for weather updates on your battery-powered radio.
• Do not go out to rescue the laundry on the clothesline, as it may conduct electricity.
• If you are outdoors when a thunderstorm hits, take shelter immediately, preferably in a building. Find a depressed area such as a ditch, culvert, or cave if you cannot take cover. Never go under a tree.

After a storm

• Ensure that your household building is structurally safe; look for buckled walls or floors; watch for holes in the floor, broken glass and other potentially dangerous debris.
• Stay far back from loose or dangling electrical wires or downed power lines.
• If your power outage affected electrical equipment, visit the Electrical Safety Authority's website.
• Review and update your family emergency plan if needed.
• Replenish your emergency kit.
• Check for damage to your home. Check with your insurance provider to see if you have insurance for damages.

View additional information on severe storms.

Tornado warning signs

• Severe thunderstorms, with frequent thunder and lightning.
• An extremely dark sky, sometimes highlighted by green or yellow clouds.
• A rumbling sound or a whistling sound.
• A funnel cloud at the rear base of a thundercloud, often behind a curtain of heavy rain or hail.

Before a tornado

• Review your household's emergency plan and ensure an emergency kit (home and vehicle) is in place. Consider accessibility needs.
• Subscribe to our public notices, and Emergency and Severe Weather Updates news feeds.
• Know the tornado warning signs.
• Stay informed. Environment Canada is responsible for warning the public when conditions exist that may produce tornadoes. Communications will be shared on radio, television, newspapers, Twitter @ECAlertON117 and on its Public Alerts webpage.

Prepare your family and home:

• Designate a safe room in your home where household members and pets may gather during a tornado. This should be a basement, storm cellar or interior room on the lowest floor with no windows. Include this in your emergency plan.
• Conduct a tornado drill so that everyone knows what to do if a tornado is approaching (e.g. practice going to your safe room).
• Remove dead or rotting trees and branches that could fall and cause injury or damage.

During a tornado

If you hear that a tornado warning has been issued for your area, find shelter for yourself, family members and pets and follow the instructions below.

If you are outdoors:

• Do not wait until you see the tornado to get inside.
• Do not get under an overpass or bridge. You are safer in a low, flat location. Preferably find shelter in a building with a strong foundation.
• If no shelter is available, lay flat in a nearby ditch or depression and cover your head with your hands. Beware of flooding from downpours and be prepared to move.
• Watch out for flying debris.

If you are in a house:

• Go to the basement or take shelter in a small interior ground floor room such as a bathroom, closet or hallway.
• If there is no basement, take cover under a sturdy structure such as a table or desk.
• Stay away from windows, outside walls and doors.

If you live on a farm:

• Livestock hear and sense impending tornadoes. If your family or home is at risk, the livestock will be a non-issue. If your personal safety is not an issue, you may only have time to open routes of escape for your livestock. Open the gate, if you must, and then exit the area in a direction away from the expected path of the twister.

If you are in an office or apartment building:

• Take shelter in an inner hallway or room, ideally in the basement or on the ground floor.
• Do not use the elevator.
• Stay away from windows.

If you are in a gymnasium, church or auditorium:

• Large buildings with wide-span roofs may collapse if a tornado hits. If possible, find shelter in another building.
• If unable to leave, take cover under a sturdy structure such as a table or desk.

If you are driving:

• If you spot a tornado in the distance, go to the nearest solid shelter.
• If the tornado is close, get out of your vehicle and take cover in a low-lying area, such as a ditch.

In all cases:

• Get as close to the ground as possible, protect your head and watch for flying debris.
• Do not chase tornadoes - they are unpredictable and can change course abruptly.
• A tornado is deceptive. It may appear to be standing still but is, in fact moving toward you.
• During a tornado, your household may experience a power outage.

After a tornado

• If there was a power outage during the tornado, review important safety tips following a Power Outage.
• Inspect your home is structurally safe; look for
  • buckled walls or floors;
  • watch for holes in the floor;
  • broken glass; and
  • dangerous debris.
• Register the amount of damage to your home with your insurance agent and local municipality immediately.
• Review and update your family emergency plan if needed.
• Replenish your emergency kit.

What is shelter-in-place?

You may be instructed to shelter-in-place if a threat to your safety exists outside. This means you must remain inside your home, office or other building and take actions to protect yourself there.

Instructions to shelter-in-place will come from authorities/government responding to the emergency situation. If you are outside and not near your home when the emergency takes place, seek shelter from the hazard by entering the nearest building.

Emergencies that require shelter-in-place include:

• releases of dangerous goods into the area outside the building you are occupying, such as chemical, biological, radiological or nuclear contaminants
• severe weather, such as a tornado
• earthquakes

Before a shelter-in-place emergency

• Review your household's emergency plan and ensure an emergency kit (home and vehicle) is in place. Consider accessibility needs.
• Subscribe to our public notices, and Emergency and Severe Weather Updates news feeds.
• Review and discuss the shelter-in-place procedures

During a shelter-in-place emergency

Hazardous materials incident

The following steps will help maximize your protection if chemical, biological or radiological contaminants are released into the surrounding environment. First, if you receive instructions to shelter-in-place, gather your family members in your home and:

• Close and lock all windows and exterior doors.
• Turn off all fans, heating and air-conditioning systems to avoid drawing in outside air.
• Close the fireplace damper.
• Get your emergency kit.
• Make sure the radio is working and has spare batteries.
• Go to an interior room above ground level (if possible, one without windows). An above ground location is preferable during a chemical threat because some chemicals are heavier than air and may seep into basements.
• Using duct tape or another wide tape, seal all cracks around the door and any vents into the room.
• Placing wet towels under the doors will also prevent the entry of smoke and fumes into your home.
• Stay informed.

If you are in a motor vehicle:

• Stop and seek shelter in a building.
• If that is not possible, remain in your vehicle, keep windows and vents closed, and shut off the air conditioner and heater.

Tornado

The following steps will help maximize your protection in the event of a tornado:

• Close and lock all windows and exterior doors.
• Get your emergency kit.
• Go to the basement or take shelter in a small interior ground floor room such as a bathroom, closet or hallway. If you have no basement, protect yourself by taking shelter under a heavy table or desk.
• Stay away from windows, outside walls and doors.
• Make sure the radio is working and has spare batteries.
• Stay informed.

If you are outside and not near your home:

• Stop and seek shelter in a permanent building if possible.
• If that is not possible, remain in your vehicle, monitor the radio for updates and instructions from the authorities or government officials, and watch for a tornado.
• If you see a tornado, get out of your vehicle (as your vehicle could flip) and take cover in a low-lying area away from the vehicle. Beware of flooding from downpours and be prepared to move.

Winter Storm

• If your vehicle is stuck in a blizzard or snowstorm, remain calm and stay in your vehicle. Allow fresh air by opening the window slightly on the sheltered side (away from the wind). Run the vehicle engine for about 10 minutes every half-hour if the exhaust system works well.
• Beware of exhaust fumes and check the exhaust pipe periodically to ensure snow is not blocking it. Remember: carbon monoxide fumes are odourless.
• Keep hands and feet warm by exercising periodically. Try to keep moving to avoid falling asleep. If you try to shovel the snow from around your vehicle, avoid overexerting yourself.

After a shelter-in-place emergency

• Everyone can leave the room when the "All Clear" message has been issued.
• If the shelter-in-place order was issued due to extreme weather, such as a tornado, Inspect your home is structurally safe; look for
• buckled walls or floors;
• watch for holes in the floor;
• broken glass; and
• dangerous debris.
• Register the amount of damage to your home with your insurance agent and local municipality immediately.
• If the shelter-in-place order was due to a hazardous materials incident, open all doors to ventilate.
• Review and update your family emergency plan if needed.
• Replenish your emergency kit.

When Should I evacuate?

It may be safer for you to leave your home and neighbourhood in some emergencies. Emergencies that could result in evacuation instructions include:

• releases of dangerous goods into the area outside a building you are in, such as chemical, biological, radiological or nuclear contaminants
• severe weather
• earthquakes

Authorities will not ask you to leave your home unless they have reason to believe you are in danger. Therefore, it is important to stay informed and listen to local news outlets to hear updates from the authorities on the emergency.

Before an evacuation

• Review your household's emergency plan and ensure an emergency kit (home and vehicle) is in place. Consider accessibility needs.
• Subscribe to our public notices, and Emergency and Severe Weather Updates news feeds.
• Review and discuss evacuation procedures

During an evacuation

Community members will receive an evacuation order unless it is believed you are in danger. If you are ordered to evacuate, take:

• your emergency kit
• your emergency plan
• essential medications and copies of prescriptions
• your cell phone (if you have one) and should you have cellular service and battery life, use it only for emergencies or for quick updates to your emergency contact.

If you have time:

• Contact your out-of-town contact and family contacts and inform them of the emergency and that you are evacuating your home as per instructions from the authorities. Tell them where you are going and when you expect to arrive. Once you are safe, let them know. Tell them if any family members have become separated.
• Leave a note telling others when you left and where you are going.

Protect your home:

• Shut off water and electricity if officials tell you to.
• Leave natural gas service on unless officials tell you to turn it off. (If you turn off the gas, the gas company has to reconnect it, which could take weeks, leaving you without gas for heating and cooking).
• Lock your home.

When evacuating:

• Make arrangements for your pet(s) or wait for instructions on pet-friendly emergency shelters options. Pack a kit for your pet(s) and include food and water for several days, identification, medications, leash or harness, carriers, bedding and toys.
• Lock your home (close all windows if not already done so).
• Follow the route authorities recommend. Do not take shortcuts as they may be blocked or expose you to dangerous hazards.
• If you need a ride, ask a neighbour. Alternatively, listen to local radio and television and social media as well as subscribe to the City of Oshawa public notices. Alternatively, you could contact Service Oshawa.
• Check with your neighbours to ensure they have been notified. If possible, help older adults and people with disabilities who may require assistance.
• When you are evacuated and directed to an evacuation centre, register at the reception centre so that you can be contacted and reunited with your family.
• If possible, contact your out-of-area emergency contact. In addition, alert your contact to any separated family members.

After an evacuation

• Review and update your family emergency plan if needed.
• Replenish your emergency kit.