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Flash floods can occur within minutes of excessive rainfall, a dam or levee failure, or a sudden release of water held by an ice jam. Overland flooding, the most common type of flooding event, typically occurs when waterways, such as rivers or streams, overflow their banks as a result of rainwater or a possible levee breach and cause flooding in surrounding areas. It can also occur when rainfall or snowmelt exceeds the capacity of underground pipes, or the capacity of streets and drains designed to carry floodwater away from urban areas.




Flood-hazard maps have been created to show the flood risk for your community. This helps determine the type of flood insurance coverage you will need since standard homeowners insurance doesn’t cover flooding. The lower the degree of risk, the lower the flood insurance premium.

To prepare for a flood, you should:
  1. Build an emergency kit and communications plan.
  2. Avoid building in a floodplain unless you elevate and reinforce your property.
  3. Elevate the furnace, water heater and electric panel in your property if you are in an area that has a high flood risk.
  4. Consider installing “check valves” to prevent floodwater from backing up into the drains of your property.
If a flood is likely in your area, you should:
  1. Listen to the radio or television for information.
  1. Secure your property. If you have time, move essential items to an upper floor.
If you have to leave your property, remember these evacuation tips:
  1. Do not walk through moving water. Fifteen centimeters (six inches) of moving water can make you fall. If you have to walk in water, walk where the water is not moving. Use a stick to check the firmness of the ground in front of you.
  2. Avoid moving water.
  3. Stay away from damaged areas unless your assistance has been specifically requested by police, fire, or a relief organization.
  4. Stay off the roads and out of the way as emergency workers assist people in flooded areas.
  6. Return to your property only when authorities indicate it is safe.
  7. Take another route if you come upon a barricade or flooded road. Roads may still be closed because they have been damaged or are covered by water. Barricades have been placed for your protection.
  1. Stay on firm ground. Moving water only 15 centimeters (six inches) deep can sweep you off your feet. Standing water may be electrically charged from underground or downed power lines.
  4. Stay out of any building if it is surrounded by floodwaters.

In addition to insuring your property, ALIGNED is committed to helping you stay safe when disaster strikes. If you would like more information on developing an emergency plan or building a disaster supply kit, please contact an ALIGNED advocate today.

ALIGNED Across Canada.  100% Canadian owned, ALIGNED is a premiere insurance brokerage that serves more than 1,400 clients. ALIGNED’s offices in Toronto, Calgary and Vancouver are supported by a national operations centre in Cambridge, Ontario. Uniquely within the industry, ALIGNED creates, negotiates and delivers the best business insurance and risk management strategies/solutions to organizations like yours.

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