Are you Flood Ready?

7/9/2020 (Permalink)

Flooded community garden in Lake Country in 2017 from high water levels and rain.

There have been a number of extreme flooding events occurring in Canada over the last few decades. Sadly, as a result of climate change, these events are increasing in both frequency and magnitude.

Floods can happen anywhere and at any time of the year here in the Okanagan. It’s important to take time to understand and prepare your home. Below are some helpful tips to ensure your home/property is flood ready

• Downspouts should extend at least 2m from your basement wall. Water should drain away from your property
• During heavy rainfall, check that your roof and eaves are draining properly
• Use rain barrels to catch water runoff
• Put weather protection sealant around basement windows and ground-level doorways
• Install flood shields/barriers for basement windows and doors. The tops of the shields should extend above ground level
• Raise large appliances, furnaces, hot water heaters, and electrical panels up on wood or cement blocks above the potential water level
• Make sure your plumbing system and drains follow all code requirements
• Install backwater valves or plugs for drains, toilets and sewer connections
• Check to ensure your sump pump is working. Consider installing a battery-operated backup encase of a power outage
• Ask your insurer about your flood insurance and review the coverage
• Create an emergency kit

Take the Government of Canada’s flood ready quiz today! https://www.canada.ca/en/campaign/flood-ready/quiz.html

COMING SOON: Canadian flood season

2/24/2020 (Permalink)

Flooded home and street in Lake Country BC June 2017

Did you know flooding is the most frequent natural disaster in Canada?

Some of us are still dealing with below 0 temperatures and snow, but Spring is just around the corner. When temperatures rise, we all need to be ready for our Okanagan thaw.

Here’s a checklist to prepare your home in case of flooding:

• Have an emergency plan in place. Know your evacuation routes.
• Know the flood risk in your community. (contact your municipality)
• Know what type of flood insurance you have with your policy!
  • Do you have overland water coverage? Sewer backup coverage? This coverage is not automatic and needs to requested and added to your policy for an additional charge.

• Monitor local weather and alerts
• Protect your valuables in waterproof containers. Place them above potential water levels. 
• Have an emergency bag, or at least a list of what you need if you need to evacuate at a moments notice! Ensure to include all vital documents
  • Driver’s license, Birth certificates or citizenship documents, Passport(s), Marriage documents, Family vaccine records, Insurance policy numbers, Living wills, Property records, Financial records, like prior tax returns

• Video/document your home and all it’s belongings.
• Put sealant around basement windows and the base of ground-level doors.
• Remove built-up debris from window wells and by doors.

For more information to ensure your home is #FloodReady visit the Government of Canada’s website https://www.canada.ca/en/campaign/flood-ready.html