River Breakup

Before river breakup

• Be aware and stay informed
• Watch out for thin ice and stay away from riverbanks 
• Sign up for Emergency Alerts from the Municipality and the Province
• Tune into the Alberta Environment website for real-time advisories and warnings
• Listen to local media
• Tune into this website, Twitter or Facebook
• Arrange with neighbours to advise one another of an emergency notification
• Make an emergency plan for your household
• Prepare an emergency kit for your household
• Learn the river breakup evacuation zones
• Review your community's emergency management plan 
• Review your insurance policy and check to ensure you have overland and sewer backup flooding insurance
• Take a video with the date displayed of your belongings
• Install backflow valves in sump pumps, the floor, sink, toilet, and washing machine drains in your basement to prevent sewer backups. There is a Backwater Valve Grant program available. 
• Install weather protection sealants around basement windows and ground-level doors
• Check sump pumps to check they are working
• Landscape and build-up areas against your foundation to keep water moving away.
• Confirm downspouts are at least six feet away from your basement wall and are working (check to ensure the water does not drain onto your neighbour's property)
• If your property is next to a ditch or stream, keep the banks clear of brush and other debris
• Store valuable items on the upper floors of your home, away from the basement
• If flooding is close, shut off electricity and put up barrier for basement windows and doors
• Clear snow away from your home's foundation

During a flood

• Follow evacuation instructions
• Do not walk through moving water or standing water
• Do not drive through flooded areas
• If your vehicle stalls in rising waters, all passengers should get out and go to higher ground
• Stay away from flood zones and response route

After a flood

Returning to your property

• If utilities were shut off during the flood, you are required to follow the RMWB's restoration plan and instructions provided at the time of re-entry before returning to your property.  
• Review Alberta Health Service's "Returning to your home after a flood" safety information 
• Exercise extreme caution when you return to your home or business
• Do not enter any building unless it is structurally sound

If your property was damaged: 

• Avoid damaged areas or areas that contain dangerous debris
• Do not enter areas with standing water due to hidden hazards
• Do not handle items that have touched floodwaters unless you have personal protection equipment (PPE) and wash your hands properly after removing gloves. Floodwaters carry microorganisms from the river and may contain sewage and chemicals
• Get an electrical panel and appliance inspection by a qualified technician before having your utilities reconnected
• Before drinking the tap water check for odd colours or odours

Completing a damage assessment

• Follow the RMWB's restoration plan and instructions provided at the time of re-entry. 
• Take a video to record any flood damage to your property
• Store any valuable papers in the freezer, do not discard any papers damaged during the flood
• Watch for information on disaster recovery programs

Cleaning your property

• Review Alberta Health Service's "Cleaning a house after a flood" information package. 
• Arrange for childcare while you clean to cut your child's exposure to contaminated areas
• Do not bring pets back until it is safe