When an Emergency strikes, are you prepared? |
Emergency Survival Kit: |
- Flashlight and batteries
- Battery operated radio
- Spare batteries for radio and flashlight
- First-aid kit
- Candles and matches/lighter
- Extra fuel for generators
- Copies of important documents and identification for each person
- Food and bottled water
- Clothing and footwear (one change of clothes per person)
- Blankets or sleeping bags (one blanket or sleeping bag per person)
- Toilet paper and other personal hygiene supplies (soap, toothbrush, etc.)
- Medication
- Backpack/duffel bag (or something to carry the emergency survival kit in, in case you have to evacuate)
- Whistle (in case you need to attract someone's attention)
- Playing cards, games, colouring books, crayons, etc.
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Severe Storms |
| Now that the snow and winter blizzards are behind us we want to remind everyone that the spring and summer seasons can often produce severe storms in the form of tornadoes, which can cause damage to property and threaten lives.. |
| The tornado "season" in Ontario is from April 1st - September 30th, with the greatest likelihood during May, June, July and August. Tornadoes are produced during intense thunderstorm activity, and are most likely to occur during the warmest part of the day... between 1 and 7 pm. During the season, there will be approximately one tornado every ten days somewhere in the province. |
| In Ontario, we experience an average of 25 tornadoes a year. This represents over 50% of all those reported in Canada. The majority occur in the southwestern part of the province, but tornadoes have been reported throughout Ontario. Fortunately, 90% of Ontario's tornadoes are considered "weak". Even so, a disastrous tornado is expected to occur somewhere in the province about every 4 years. |
| Tornado damage is produced by the combined effects of incredibly high wind speeds and very low pressures within the tornando "vortex" (spiral). Beyond the immediate damage produced by the high winds, considerable damage is caused by debris "missiles" hurled by the wind. |
Residents are encouraged to listen for weather warnings from Environment Canada during unstable weather conditions.
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Types of Warnings |
Severe Thunderstorm Warning: |
| Issued as an alert that severe thunderstorms are imminent in the warning area. Storms can be in progress or are expected to occur within two hours. |
Tornando Warning: |
| Issued as an alert that a tornado is occurring and will strike within the warning area. Watch the weather closely. You may have to seek shelter immediately. |
Hail: |
| While hail may or may not precede a tornado, it often appears near tornado formation areas. Once large hail starts to fall, assume a tornado is nearby and seek a sturdy shelter immediately. Once sheltered, remain protected until well after the hail has stopped and the storm has passed. |
Recommended Precautions: |
In Homes: |
- Open all windows. A basement offers the greatest safety. Seek shelter under sturdy furniture if possible. In homes without basements, take cover in the centre of the house on the lowest floor in a small room such as a closet or bathroom or under sturdy furniture away from outside doors and windows.
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In Mobile Homes: |
- These structures are not safe in severe weather. During warnings, go to a pre-arranged substantial structure.
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In Automobiles: |
- Get out of the vehicle and into a basement, ditch or ravine - away from the vehicle.
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General Information