Flooding or a boil-water advisory

If your home or street is flooding

1. Evacuate if instructed:
   • Move to higher ground immediately if floodwaters rise.
   • Follow official evacuation orders without delay.
   • Keep children and pets away from floodwater, creeks and storm drains.
2. Stay out of moving water:
   • Never walk, swim or drive through flooded roads or waterways.
   • Turn around: fast-moving water can sweep away adults and vehicles.
3. Avoid electrical hazards in flooded basements:
   • Never enter a flooded basement if water is near outlets, baseboard heaters or the breaker panel.
   • Call your electric utility to disconnect service safely.
   • If sewer drains back up, avoid running sinks, toilets, washers or dishwashers.
4. Document and report the flood:
   • Take photos and video of all damaged property before cleaning up.
   • Contact 311 to log the incident and notify your insurer promptly.
   • Discard all food that had contact with floodwater.

During a boil-water advisory

5. Boil drinking water for 1 minute:
   • Bring tap water to a rolling boil for at least 1 full minute (2 minutes above 2,000 metres elevation).
   • Cool and store in sanitized, covered containers.
6. If you cannot boil water, disinfect it:
   • Use water purification tablets according to package instructions.
7. Use safe water for swallow risks:
   • Use boiled or bottled water for drinking, brushing teeth, making baby formula, washing fruits and vegetables, and pet water.
8. Use tap water only for cleaning and bathing:
   • Tap water is safe for laundry, handwashing with soap (20 seconds), and dishwashing if dishes dry completely.
   • Adults may shower or bathe provided no water is swallowed; sponge-bathe infants and young children.