Close Alert Banner
Learn More
Skip to Content

RMWB Logo RMWB Logo

Contact Us Mobile Site Menu
Contact Us
  • Business and Development
    • Procurement
    • Business Services and Support
    • Development and Planning
    • Downtown Revitalization
    • Flood Recovery
    • Maps
    • Permits and Resources
    • Safety Codes Permits
  • Bylaw and Animal Services
    • Animal Services
    • Backyard Hens Pilot Project
    • Bylaws
    • Community Standards
    • Parking
    • Report an Issue
    • Automated Traffic Enforcement
    • Taxi Cabs
  • Community Services and Social Support
    • Cemeteries
    • Grants and Funding
    • Homelessness and Housing
    • Seniors' Services and Programs
    • Social Support Services
    • Victim Services
  • Employment
    • Current Opportunities
    • Firefighter and Paramedic Recruitment
    • Human Resources
  • Events and Involvement
    • Boards and Committees
    • Event Permits
    • igNIGHT: Art Illuminated
    • MAC Calendar
    • Mayor's Advisory Council on Youth (MACOY)
    • Participate Wood Buffalo
    • Townhalls
    • Wood Buffalo Volunteers
  • Fire, Police and Emergency Services
    • 9-1-1
    • COVID-19 Information
    • Emergency Alerts
    • Emergency Medical Services
    • Emergency Preparedness
    • Fire Codes and Permits
    • Fire Departments
    • Fire Prevention and Safety
    • FireSmart
    • Royal Canadian Mounted Police
    • Vulnerable Persons Registry
  • Garbage, Recycling and Disposal
    • Garbage & Recycling Services
    • Landfill
    • Soil Disposal
  • Indigenous and Rural Communities
    • Anzac
    • Conklin
    • Draper
    • Fort Chipewyan
    • Fort Fitzgerald
    • Fort McKay
    • Fort McMurray
    • Gregoire Lake Estates
    • Janvier
    • Saprae Creek Estates
    • Rural Bus Schedules and Fees
    • Truth and Reconciliation
  • Mayor, Council and Administration
    • Accountability and Transparency
    • Boards and Committees
    • Bylaws
    • Contact Us
    • Council
    • Elections
    • Mayor
    • Plans, Reports and Studies
    • Policies
  • Parks and Recreation
    • Parks and Facilities Map
    • Adopt-a-Rink
    • Adopt-a-Trail or Roadway
    • Communities in Bloom
    • Community Cleanup
    • Facility Rentals
    • Off-Highway Vehicles
    • Parks, Trails and Green Spaces
    • Trees
  • Property Taxes
    • Assessments
    • Change of Address Form
    • Frequently Asked Questions
    • Non-Profit Organization Tax Exemptions
    • Paying Property Taxes
    • Property Tax Sale
    • Rural Small Business Tax Class
    • School Support
    • Tax Rates
    • Tax Refund Requests
  • Pulse
  • Roads and Construction
    • Automated Traffic Enforcement
    • Construction Map
    • Construction Projects
    • Draper Slope Stability Reports
    • Parking
    • Route/Haul Permits
    • Snow Plowing and Removal
    • Street Sweeping
    • Winter Roads
  • Transit
    • Bike and Ride
    • Fares and Passes
    • Routes and Schedules
    • Rural Bus Schedules and Fees
    • School Transit Service
    • Specialized Transit
    • Statutory Holidays Schedule
    • Transit News and Alerts
  • Utilities and Water
    • Billing
    • Bulk Water
    • Change of Address Form
    • Commercial Services
    • Fat, Oil and Grease
    • Open or Close a Utility Account
    • Responsible Sewer Use
    • Rural Water & Sewer Service
    • Sewer Backups
    • Water Conservation
    • Water Metering
    • Water Quality
Home...Emergency PreparednessHazardsSevere Storms and Weather
  • Open new window to share this page via Facebook Facebook
  • Open new window to share this page via Twitter Twitter
  • Open new window to share this page via LinkedIn Pinterest
  • Open new window to share this page via LinkedIn LinkedIn
  • Email this page Email

Severe Storms and Weather

Severe storms can affect all communities, at any time, and have long-lasting effects.

There are many important steps you can take to prepare your family which can help save you time during, reduce your anxiety and protect your family.

Before a storm

  • Find out the types of storms common to your area and the time they strike
  • Make an emergency plan for your household
  • Prepare an emergency kit for your household
  • When winter storms happen, visit Environment Canada's website
  • Listen to local media
  • Sign up for Alberta Emergency Alert
  • Tune into this website, Twitter or Facebook
  • Arrange with neighbours to advise one another of an emergency notification
  • Clean gutters, drains, and downpipes
  • Make sure your roof is in good condition
  • Trim dead branches and/or cut down dead trees
  • Secure anything that may be blown around

During thunderstorms

  • At home: Stay inside; Stay away from windows, door, fireplaces, radiators, stoves, metal pipes, sinks or other electrical charge conductors; unplug televisions, radios, toasters and other electrical appliances; don't use the phone or other electrical equipment
  • Outside: seek shelter in a building; get off bicycles, motorcycles, and tractors; if you're caught in the open, crouch down with your feet close together and your head down; don't lie flat; keep away from telephone and power lines, fences, trees and hilltops
  • In a vehicle: stop the vehicle and stay in it; don't stop near trees or power lines

During tornadoes

At home – lowest level, smallest room, and center of the building

  • Go to a windowless interior room such as the basement
  • If there is no basement, go to an inner hallway or smaller interior room without windows such as a bathroom or closet
  • Go to the centre of the room
  • Stay away from corners as they tend to attract debris
  • Stay away from windows or glass doors
  • Keep off the telephone
  • Get under a heavy piece of furniture such as a desk or workbench
  • Use a helmet to protect your head
  • If you are in a mobile home, get outside and look for an area of low ground

Outside

  • If possible, get to a building or shelter
  • If shelter is not available lie down in a ditch or low-lying area
  • Always be alert to the potential of flooding
  • Use your arms to protect your face and neck
  • Stay low to survive

In a vehicle

  • Never try to out drive a tornado
  • Get out of the car and take shelter in a sturdy building or low-lying area
  • Always be alert to the potential of flooding

During winter storms

At home

  • Stay away from windows, doors, and fireplaces
  • Use a cellular or cordless telephone
  • If a power outage occurs do the following: check your main electric panel and breaker; turn off or unplug appliances or equipment; close blinds or curtains and avoid opening doors
  • If advised to evacuate, do so immediately
  • Take your emergency kit with you

In a vehicle

  • Stop the car away from trees or power lines
  • If stuck, call for help and do the following: remain inside the vehicle; open one window slightly on the sheltered side for fresh air; check the exhaust pipe to ensure there is no blockage of snow; run the engine for 10 minutes every half hour

During blizzards

  • Before a blizzard string a safety line between your house and other structures, in case you have to go to them during the storm
  • Stay indoors if possible
  • If you must go outside, dress for the weather – clothing should be tightly woven and water-repellent, jackets should have hoods, and wear mittens
  • Do not try to walk to another building unless you have something you can follow
  • If you must travel, do so during the day and let someone know your route and arrival time

During ice storms

  • If you must go outside, pay attention to branches or wires that could break and fall on your or your vehicle
  • Never approach power lines (stay back at least 10 meters from wires or anything in contact with them)
  • When freezing rain is forecasted, avoid driving if possible

During winter driving

  • Heed the warnings of the local weather offices of Environment Canada
  • If you must drive in bad weather, make sure you have plenty of fuel and let someone know your route and intended arrival time

If severe winter traps you in your vehicle

  • Pull off the road, turn hazard lights on, and hang a distress flag from the radio aerial or window
  • Remain in your vehicle until rescuers arrive
  • Run the engine and heater for about 10 minutes each hour to keep warm and conserve fuel
  • Crack a downwind window slightly to prevent carbon monoxide poisoning
  • Huddle with other passengers and use your coat for a blanket
  • In extreme cold, use road maps, seat covers, floor mats, newspapers and extra clothing for covering
  • Turn on the inside dome light so rescue teams can see you at night (careful not to run down the battery)
  • In remote areas, after the storm has passed, spread a large cloth over the snow to attract the attention of rescue planes
  • Do not set out on foot unless you can see a building close by where you know you can take shelter
  • Once the severe weather has passed and you need to leave your car, follow the road if possible
Fire, Police and Emergency Services
  • 9-1-1
  • COVID-19 Information
    Toggle Section COVID-19 Information Menu
    • Face Covering Information
  • Emergency Alerts
  • Emergency Medical Services
    Toggle Section Emergency Medical Services Menu
    • Firefighter and Paramedic Recruitment
    • Public Access to Defibrillation (PAD) Program
  • Emergency Preparedness
    Toggle Section Emergency Preparedness Menu
    • Business Continuity
    • Emergency Management
    • Emergency Social Services
    • Evacuations and Shelter-in-Place
    • Hazards
      Toggle Section Hazards Menu
      • Power and water outages
      • River Breakup
      • Severe Storms and Weather
      • Wildfires
  • Fire Codes and Permits
    Toggle Section Fire Codes and Permits Menu
    • Recreational Fires and Fire Pits
  • Fire Departments
    Toggle Section Fire Departments Menu
    • Firefighter and Paramedic Recruitment
  • Fire Prevention and Safety
  • FireSmart
    Toggle Section FireSmart Menu
    • FireSmart Projects
    • Interpretive Trail
  • Royal Canadian Mounted Police
    Toggle Section Royal Canadian Mounted Police Menu
    • Crime Map
    • Online Crime Reporting
  • Vulnerable Persons Registry

Contact us

Never miss an update!

Subscribe to this page to get notified when this page has updated content.

Notify Me
Services
  • A
  • B
  • C
  • D
  • E
  • F
  • G
  • H
  • I
  • J
  • K
  • L
  • M
  • N
  • O
  • P
  • Q
  • R
  • S
  • T
  • U
  • V
  • W
  • X
  • Y
  • Z

Regional Municipality of Wood Buffalo footer logo

Contact Us

Regional Municipality of Wood Buffalo
9909 Franklin Avenue
Fort McMurray Alberta T9H 2K4

Phone: 780-743-7000

Toll free: 1-800-973-9663

Social Media

  • Facebook
  • Twitter
  • YouTube
  • Instagram
  • LinkedIn

Website Resources

  • Access to Information and Privacy
  • Pay Bills Online
  • Sitemap
  • Social Media
  • Website Feedback

Copyright © 2020

Designed by eSolutionsGroup

Close Old Browser Notification
Browser Compatibility Notification
It appears you are trying to access this site using an outdated browser. As a result, parts of the site may not function properly for you. We recommend updating your browser to its most recent version at your earliest convenience.