This video presents ” Emergency Preparedness Video – 72 Hours PSA – Emergency Management Ontario”:
- Public Service Announcement (PSA) From Emergency Management Ontario Called “72 Hours Are You Prepared ?” Discusses having 3 days supply of Food and Water and other Emergency Preparedness
Ontario is advising Canadians to prepare for the potential impact of Hurricane Sandy, which is expected to affect Ontario over the next few days:
- High winds and heavy rainfall are forecasted, which could result in flooding, road closures and power outages
- The impact on Ontario is expected to be significantly less than forecasted for the north-eastern United States
- However, officials are continuing to monitor the situation closely and are ready to respond
- Canadians can find up-to-date information on storms occurring in their area by following Environment Canada’s hurricane bulletins on the internet from Weatheroffice, via e-mail subscription, on Weatheradio, or through the local media
- In addition to tuning in to television and radio and signing up for Emergency Alerts, Ontarians are encouraged to have a 72-hour survival kit, containing all the food, water and other necessities their family needs for three days:
- Please read this Personal Preparedness Guide (PDF) for information on what to include in your kit
The key to hurricane protection is preparation:
- By taking precautions before, during, and after a hurricane, lives can be saved and property damage averted
- What to do:
The Provincial Response:
On 29 October 2012, Chris Bentley, Ontario Minister of Energy, issued the following statement on hurricane Sandy (please note OPG is the acronym for Ontario Power Generation):
“We are receiving regular updates from Hydro One and local distribution companies across Ontario. As of 10:30 this evening there are 330 reported storm related outages across the province affecting nearly 66, 900 customers.
Trained crews of professionals are onsite across Ontario and working to restore power safely and as quickly as possible. We will provide updates on power restoration as soon as they become available.
Hydro One’s Grid Control Centre is monitoring the storm as it progresses. Hydro One is the direct power provider in many communities in Ontario and is well prepared to assist their own customers during storm events. If assistance is required by local distribution companies, Hydro One will direct resources, on a priority basis.
Local power companies are the best source for up-to-date, local information for their customers. Customers may call the phone number located on their utility bill or check their local utility’s website.
The Independent Electricity System Operator (IESO) is closely monitoring the situation and is taking steps to increase Ontario’s ability to respond to changing circumstances, including keeping additional generation at the ready should it be required.
All of OPG’s generating facilities are robust and designed to withstand severe weather. OPG is working closely with partners such as Hydro One and the IESO to ensure a co-ordinated response is in place. The company reports no impacts from the storm at this time.”
Chris Bentley, Ontario Minister of Energy
The Federal Response:
“The Government of Canada is closely monitoring Hurricane Sandy through the Government Operations Centre. In addition, the Canadian Hurricane Centre is providing regular updates on the hurricane’s strength and path,” said Minister Toews. “Citizens in the potentially affected areas should follow the direction of local and provincial emergency first responders.”
“Public Safety Canada is working closely with our provincial counterparts. Our Government stands ready to assist the provinces with the effects of Hurricane Sandy if assistance is required.”
“We have taken precautionary steps to ensure that the Federal government can aid the provinces affected should the need arise. The Canadian Forces and the Canadian Coast Guard are standing by ready to assist, Health Canada is conducting generator checks and has reviewed the National Emergency Stockpile and the Government Operations Centre is working around the clock to ensure all necessary assets are in place.
We encourage Canadians to ensure they too are ready to deal with the hurricane and encourage everyone to visit GetPrepared.ca to ensure that their family has an emergency plan in place. Information on Hurricane Sandy can be found at www.weatheroffice.gc.ca/hurricane.”
The Honourable Vic Toews, Canada’s Public Safety Minister
In response, City of Toronto offers the following preparedness tips for Hurricane Sandy:
- This video presents “Making a Family Emergency Plan”:
- Be “emergency ready”:
- Having a plan so you and your family know what to do in an emergency
- In the event of an emergency, you may need to look after your personal needs and those of your family for up to 72 hours because emergency services workers may not be able to reach you immediately, or they may have to focus their initial efforts elsewhere:
- Office of Emergency Management (OEM) is the City of Toronto’s coordinating agency for emergency and disaster activities
- The office is responsible for developing programs and plans to prevent disasters if possible and for reducing the vulnerability of residents to any disaster that cannot be prevented
- Please report power outages to Toronto Hydro, 24/7 at 416-542-8000
- Roads and catch basins
- City crews will be monitoring road conditions for excessive ponding and flooding, particularly in low-lying areas such as:
- the Beach south of Queen Street
- Hogg’s Hollow
- the Bayview Extension
- An area of concern is catch basins blocked by falling leaves
- Residents can assist by clearing catch basins adjacent to and on their properties (including the grates at the bottom of reverse-slope driveways), to reduce the possibility of flooding
- Motorists are asked to drive with care and slowly through areas of ponding, especially near sidewalks where pedestrians are present
- City crews will be monitoring road conditions for excessive ponding and flooding, particularly in low-lying areas such as:
- Flooding
- Toronto’s sewers are equipped to manage most typical storms
- However, Toronto is experiencing more severe weather events, with higher rainfall levels than historically recorded, increasing pressure on the sewer system
- When extreme weather occurs the system can become overloaded, leading to surface and basement flooding
- In the short term, it is important to keep water away from your walls and foundation
- Ensuring eavestroughs and downspouts are clear of leaves and other debris will help this.
- If you do experience basement flooding, call 311 immediately to report it and call your insurance provider
- Be mindful of health and safety when cleaning up a flooded basement as you may be exposed to sewage or come in contact with water and electricity
- Consider getting help with flooding clean-up through a “water damage restoration” company
- See http://www.toronto.ca/water/stormwater for more tips
- Toronto’s sewers are equipped to manage most typical storms
- Trees
- Residents are reminded to not stand under trees and to be especially vigilant to avoid falling and flying objects and materials
- If a tree on City property becomes damaged or falls, report it to 311
- The City’s Urban Forestry section has over 120 people trained and prepared to respond to emergencies such as Hurricane Sandy
CONTACTS
- Minister of Energy
For public inquiries call:
1-888-668-4636
TTY: 1-800-239-4224
- Canada’s “72 hours” emergency preparedness campaign – follow (@Get_Prepared) on Twitter for safety tips and practical information on how to prepare for emergencies
- Public Safety Canada (@Safety_Canada) on Twitter
- Emergency
- In an actual emergency call 911
- City of Toronto:
- Phone within Toronto city limits: 311
- Phone outside city limits: 416-392-CITY (2489) – can be used within Toronto if you can’t reach 311
- TTY customers: 416-338-0TTY (0889)
- Fax: 416-338-0685
- E-mail: 311@toronto.ca
- If your matter is urgent, please call them. They are open 24/7
- Always call 911 for emergencies
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