Severe weather refers to any dangerous meteorological phenomena with the potential to cause damage, serious social disruption, or loss of human life.
Use the tabs below to browse information regarding weather types
Strong winds and tornadoes can cause property damage or turn any loose items into flying debris. They can affect your ability to safely steer your car and make it hard to walk. High winds in combination with heavy rain can increase the risk of tree limb breakage or trees uprooting. Tornadoes can move quickly leaving a wide strip of destruction or touch down sporadically leaving a path of damage.
Most tornadoes occur in June and July (although their season extends from April to September). They frequently develop in mid-afternoon to early evening.
Tornadoes often appear behind heavy rain or hail in a sky that is green, yellow or black. Very large thunderstorms can make multiple tornadoes.
If you are indoors:
If you are outdoors:
Thunderstorms are accompanied by lightning and may produce damaging weather such as tornadoes, hail, high winds and heavy rain. In Canada, lightning kills on average 9 to 10 people and seriously injures 92 to 164 people a year.
(Ice/Sleet Storm, Blizzard/Snowstorm)
Winter storms are common here, but they can be treacherous and damaging if you are unprepared. Bitter cold and winter storms kill more people than the number of Canadians killed by tornadoes, thunderstorms, lightning, floods and hurricanes combined. Being prepared can literally save your life.
Personal Preparedness –Before the Storm
Safety Tips –During the Storm
Floods are the most common natural disaster we face here. They can occur at any time of the year and are most often caused by heavy rainfall, rapid melting of a thick snow pack, ice jams, or the failure of a natural or man-made dam or other infrastructure.
What to do before a flood
If a flood is forecast
If flooding is imminent
What to do during a flood
If you need to evacuate
Never cross a flooded area
What to do after a flood
What to do before extreme hot weather
What to do during extreme hot weather
Watch for symptoms of heat illness, which include:
If you experience any of these symptoms during hot weather, immediately move to a cool place and drink liquids. Water is best.
Heat stroke is a medical emergency! Call 911 or your local emergency number immediately
if you are caring for someone, such as a neighbour, who has a high body temperature and is either unconscious, confused or has stopped sweating.
While waiting for help - cool the person right away by:
What to do before extreme cold weather
What to do during extreme cold weather
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