Emergency plan *
• Make a list with your family of what needs to be done
ahead of time.
• Store important family documents, such as birth
certificates, passports, wills, financial documents,
insurance policies etc. in waterproof containers.
• Identify an appropriate out-of-town contact
who could act as a central point of contact in an
emergency.
• Be sure to include details about what will happen to
pets in the case of an evacuation.
Preparing if a flood is forecast *
• Turn off basement furnace and outside gas valve.
• Shut off breakers to any electrical sockets located low
enough where water might reach them.
• Only shut off electricity if flooding has not yet begun
and the area around the fuse box is completely
dry. Stand to the side of the breaker panel and look
away from the panel when switching off the power.
Remember to have a flashlight
If flooding is imminent *
• Write down and practice your plan with the entire
family at least once a year.
• Move furniture, electrical appliances and other
valuables above ground to dry areas of the house.
• Include contingencies in the plan in case you are at
work or away when the emergency occurs.
• Remove any toxic substances from the flooded area.
This includes pesticides, insecticides, varnishes, paint
thinners, or anything that could pollute the water.
Basic emergency kit
• Water - at least two litres of water per person per day.
Use small bottles that can be easily carried.
• Food that won’t spoil such as canned, dried fruit,
energy bars. (This should be replaced each year).
• Manual can opener.
• Remove toilet bowls; plug connections and basement
sewer drains with a wooden stopper.
• Do NOT attempt to shut off electricity if any water is
present.
Evacuation information
• Wind-up or battery-powered flashlights (with extra
batteries).
• Leave immediately upon being notified; lock the
house.
• Wind up or battery-powered radio (with extra
batteries).
• Take emergency kit and follow any instructions from
local emergency officials.
• First aid kit.
• Wear clothes appropriate to the conditions. Follow
the routes specified by the officials. Don’t take
shortcuts. These could lead to a dangerous or blocked
area.
• Specific necessities such as prescription medications,
infant formula etc.
• Extra keys to vehicles and the house.
• Cash in smaller bills; change for payphones.
• If you have pets include special items such as food,
water, cat litter and medication.
• A copy of your emergency plan and contact
information.
• Playing cards and/or games.
• Backpack or duffel bag to carry your supplies.
• If there is time, leave a note explaining when you left
and where you went.
• Even if you do not plan to stay at the evacuation
centre, you must contact the registration desk so
officials can contact you and so you can be reunited
with your family.
During an emergency the town provides information
through a Twitter feed, Facebook and on the town
website at www.highriver.ca
* Information provided by the Government of Canada, 72 hour preparedness at www.GetPrepared.ca
Flood
prevention
and
preparation
Town of High River
403.652.4657
[email protected]
Basement flood risks
The Highwood River is not the only source of flooding
that homes in High River can experience. Every home is
susceptible to water damage during periods of heavy
rainfall.
Heavy rainstorms can overwhelm the sewer system and back
up through house sewer lines into basements that aren’t
protected. High ground water can also seep into basements.
Storm sewer vs wastewater sewer
systems
The wastewater sewer system is designed to transport
wastewater from sinks, showers, toilets and other home
water systems to the town’s wastewater treatment plant.
The storm sewer system is for ground and rain water only. There is often a direct connection to the storm sewer in
newer houses.
Ground water that leaks into a basement should never be
pumped into the wastewater line. This leads to serious
capacity issues for the wastewater system, which includes
the lift stations that transport the wastewater through town, the pipes and the wastewater treatment plant. PLEASE NOTE: Section 5:1 of the Sewer Use Bylaw 3956-88
stipulates “no person shall direct, allow or suffer any storm
drainage to be placed in the sewage system.” Anyone who
connects a sump pump to the sanitary system could be
liable for a fine up to $2,500.
Preventive measures
• Redirect storm water away from any houses through
proper landscaping, eaves troughs and downspouts.
• Consider installing window wells, which will increase
the grade around basement windows.
• Fill any settled areas around the foundation so it
slopes away from the house.
• Check for plants and shrubs planted too close to the
foundation. Rotted roots can create a path for surface
water to flow towards it.
• Repair cracks or defects in concrete basement walls.
Injecting construction-grade epoxy that penetrates
and seals cracks is one solution. Check with local
hardware dealers or contractors for more information.
• Consider installing a backwater valve and a sump
pit drainage system. A permit and inspection are
required. Since part of the basement floor will be dug
up and proper placement of these items is important,
it’s recommend that a licensed plumbing contractor
install it.
Downspouts and channelling
• Roofs can accumulate a large
amount of rainwater. Just
10 mm of rain on the
roof of an average
bungalow can
equal 1,200 litres of
run-off.
• Ensure eaves
troughs and
downspouts are
properly installed
and clean of debris.
• Extension pipes
connected to the
downspouts should
extend at least 1.8 metres (6
feet) from the basement wall and drain away from
the house, towards the street or back lane.
• An alternative is to set downspouts so they drain into
water barrels, which is an excellent way to collect
rainwater for future use.
• Proper drainage systems will help divert water
from seeping into the foundation’s weeping tile
and prevent it from overloading a home’s drainage
systems.
Sump pump do’s and don’ts
• A sump pit drainage system includes a sump pit, a
sump pump and a pump discharge pipe. The sump
pit, set into the lowest point in the basement floor,
collects water from the weeping tile around the
foundation. Weeping tile (perforated hose near the
foundation) captures groundwater and drains it to
the sump well. The sump pump moves this captured
water outside.
• If no internal storm water connection is available,
the sump pump discharge pipe should be placed
so it drains overland onto lawns, flowerbeds, into a
rain barrel or onto the street where it will flow into
the storm water system. If the pipe is discharging
right against the basement wall, the water will drain
down into the weeping tiles and continue to recycle
through the system. At no time should the pump be
connected to the waste water (sanitary sewer) line.
• The sump pump should be checked and tested each
spring. Pour water into the pit to trigger the pump to
operate.
• Remove and thoroughly clean the pump at least once
a year.
• The pit should be checked periodically to ensure it is
free of debris. Most pumps have a screen that covers
the water intake, which must be kept clear. Check the
discharge point regularly to make sure that nothing is
blocking the flow.
Backwater Valve
• A backwater valve is a device that prevents sewage
in an overloaded sewer main line from backing into a
basement.
• The valve automatically closes if sewage backs up
from the main sewer.
• A properly installed backwater valve must be located
so that sewage backup will be stopped and not be
redirected through other outlets such as sinks, toilets,
showers, and laundry tubs. Because it must meet
specific building codes, it is recommended that it be
installed by a certified plumber.
• Ensure the valve is accessible at all times.
• Check the valve regularly and remove any material
that may prevent it from operating properly.