(A teacher speaks with students in a classroom during an Earthquake. Photo: City of Ottawa)
Did you know that Ottawa is one of the most seismic urban areas in Canada? Earthquakes and other hazardous situations can turn into emergencies that affect you, your family and our community. It’s important to understand our local hazards, have a household emergency plan and know what to do before an emergency happens.
In Ottawa, we need to be prepared for emergencies like earthquakes, seasonal weather and power outages.
Be ready if there’s an emergency
Earthquakes:
Earthquakes happen without advanced warning. If an earthquake occurs:
- Drop to the ground or, if you’re using a mobility device, lock your wheels.
- Cover your head and, if possible, crawl under a table or towards an interior wall without windows.
- Hold on until the shaking stops and be prepared for aftershocks.
Learn more about preparing for earthquakes.
Seasonal weather emergencies:
Our region can experience severe storms, tornadoes, and other weather-related emergencies throughout the year. Download Environment and Climate Change Canada’s free WeatherCAN mobile app for up-to-date weather forecasts and push notifications about extreme weather.
If you receive a warning about severe weather:
- Be prepared to seek shelter if you’re outdoors and head to shore if you’re on the water or ice.
- Secure any loose items outdoors and make sure children and pets are inside.
- Charge your phone and other devices in case there is a power outage.
- Stay away from windows, especially if there are high winds.
- Move to the basement or a small, enclosed space away from exterior walls, like a bathroom, closet or pantry, if the storms worsens.
Learn more about preparing for specific seasonal weather events:
- Extreme heat
- Flood and flash flooding
- High winds or tornados
- Severe thunder and lightning storm
- Severe winter storm or extreme cold
Power outages:
Many of our local hazards could lead to a power outage. Keep a power bank in your emergency preparedness kit and check it regularly to ensure it’s charged and safe to use.
During a power outage, it’s important to:
- Turn down thermostats and unplug appliances to reduce the risk of power surges.
- Avoid opening your fridge and freezer to help prevent food from spoiling – food that has been kept at four degrees Celsius for more than four hours can make you sick.
- Never use barbecues, generators or gas-powered heating equipment inside your home or garage.
Learn more about preparing for power outages.
More information:
Learn more about emergency preparedness: