City of Toronto reminds residents to prepare for severe storms on anniversary of July 8, 2013 flooding in Toronto

City of Toronto Media Relations has issued the following:

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News Release:  July 8, 2014 

City of Toronto reminds residents to prepare for severe storms on anniversary of July 8, 2013 flooding in Toronto

Today marks one year since the July 8 storm, an extreme summer storm that produced record-level rainfall and caused significant flooding and damage across the city. The City of Toronto reminds residents and businesses to prepare for major storms to help reduce the damage that severe rain and flooding may cause on private properties.

"Toronto was hit hard after the July 8 storm, and many people's homes and businesses were damaged because of flooding," said Mayor Rob Ford. "Since the storm, the City has invested in infrastructure improvements and expanded many programs to help Toronto be more prepared for severe weather."

"The anniversary of the July 8 storm serves as a reminder that we all need to be prepared for major storms," said Deputy Mayor Norm Kelly, Chair of the Toronto's Emergency Management Program Committee (TEMPC). "It's important that residents understand what could happen during a significant weather event, and learn how they can prepare themselves and their families."

During a severe summer storm, residents may be forced to stay indoors and could experience power outages for extended periods of time. There are simple steps that you can take to help protect yourself,  your family and your property during extreme weather.

Personal preparedness

All Toronto residents should have a three-day supply of the following items on hand for each family member:

• Drinking water (keep water in containers) 

• Canned food and a manual can opener 

• Batteries for flashlights and radios 

• A first aid kit 

• Crank or battery operated radio 

• Cash

Residents are reminded to:

• Keep cell phone batteries charged

• Know the locations of all electrical panels, and water and gas shutoff valves in your home • Keep flashlights where you can find them in the dark • Keep your car gas tank full • Consider using surge protectors to protect sensitive electronic equipment.

What more can you do?

• Make sure you have adequate homeowner or tenant insurance 

• During an emergency, listen to the authorities and follow direction given 

• Check in on vulnerable residents on your street or in your neighbourhood

More information is available at http://www.toronto.ca/oem.

Safety during severe rain or storms

• Try to remain indoors.

• Do not enter a flooded basement as you may be exposed to sewage or come in contact with water and electricity.

• Avoid driving, especially in low-lying areas where flooding is known to occur.

• If traffic signals are out, treat the affected intersections as a four-way stop.

Protect your property

Take precautions in advance to protect your properties from possible flooding:

• Disconnect your downspouts from the sewer system and make sure they are draining properly, ideally two meters (6.5 feet) from your basement walls.

• Be sure the grading around your home drains water away from all exterior walls. 

• Clear eavestroughs and downspouts of leaves and other debris that may prevent proper drainage.

• Repair or replace damaged weeping tile systems.

• Rake leaves away from sewer catch basins and other outside drains.

• Do not pour grease down drains or flush food or other objects down toilets as this will block sewer connections causing sewers to back up during rain storms.

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.

More information about basement flooding is available at http://www.toronto.ca/basementflooding.

Power Outages

• Unplug or turn off all appliances to avoid possible damage when power resumes.

• Leave a light or radio on so you will know when power is restored.

• Plug in only the most essential appliances first, and wait 10 to 15 minutes to give the electrical system time to stabilize before connecting everything else.

• After power is restored, try to limit electricity use to help relieve potential strain on the system.

• Keep your fridge and freezer doors shut as much as possible. Generally, food will keep for 24 to 48 hours, as long you keep the door closed.

More information is available at http://www.torontohydro.com.

Increased investment to reduce flooding

While Toronto Water has made significant investments in infrastructure improvements in various parts of the city, the July 8 storm highlighted the need for even more investment to help prevent flooding.

Since the storm, Toronto City Council has approved the expansion of several existing programs to help Toronto become more resilient when affected by extreme weather:

• $3.1 billion over 10 years on wastewater and stormwater collection systems. This includes $962 million for the Basement Flooding Protection Program. In addition, Council approved a city-wide, multi-year program to examine the causes of basement flooding and implement upgrades.

• Increase to the Basement Flooding Protection Subsidy Program to a maximum of $3,400 (from $3,200) to qualified homeowners for the installation of basement flooding mitigation devices (backwater valves and sump pumps). The budget for this subsidy program has grown from $500,000 in 2010 to $11 million in 2014.

• Increased public education efforts to help property owners learn how to protect their homes from flooding.

As well, in the six months prior to the July 8 storm, Toronto Building had issued 514 permits for backwater valves and following the storm, an additional 4,354 permits were issued in 2013.

Toronto City Council will be also be considering two staff reports at its July meeting relating to severe weather and how the City can better prepare: Resilient City - Preparing for a Changing Climate and the Review of the City of Toronto's Emergency Response to the December 2013 Ice Storm. If Council approves both reports, the recommendations will help the City better plan for future extreme weather events. The two reports are available at http://bitly.com/1mcPstA.

This news release is also available on the City's website: http://bitly.com/VFErXO.

Toronto is Canada's largest city, the fourth largest in North America, and home to a diverse population of about 2.8 million people. It is a global centre for business, finance, arts and culture and is consistently ranked one of the world's most livable cities. Toronto is proud to be the Host City for the 2015 Pan American and Parapan American Games. For information on non-emergency City services and programs, Toronto residents, businesses and visitors can visit http://www.toronto.ca, call 311, 24 hours a day, 7 days a week, or follow us @TorontoComms.

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Media contact: Wynna Brown, Strategic Communications, 416-392-8937, wbrown1@toronto.ca