During the winter, flood concerns may not be on the top of your mind, but those affected by the flood events last year might worry about what 2025 may bring.
To help you prepare your property for flooding, here are answers to some commonly asked questions.
When do Floods Happen?
Flooding can happen at any time of year. Flooding in the winter and early spring is usually caused by rapid snow melt, sometimes accompanied by rain, that can create ice jams and cause rivers and streams to flow at higher levels.
During the warmer months of the year, flooding can be caused by higher water levels and short, intense storms. Flooding can also follow larger and wetter weather systems with prolonged and heavy precipitation, like Hurricane Hazel, which caused extensive flooding over 70 years ago.
What are the Types of Flooding?
There are two types of flooding to be aware of:
Riverine Flooding
Riverine flooding occurs when the water levels in a river or stream increase, causing the water to spill over the banks and onto surrounding land. This type of flooding can damage properties in the floodplain and beyond. Find out if you live in an at-risk area, such as in a floodplain, on a slope, near a wetland or an erosion-prone area, with our regulation mapping. If you need more information about your property, please reach out to Credit Valley Conservation’s (CVC) planning staff.
Urban Flooding
Urban flooding occurs when the local drainage system, such as storm sewers or swales, overflows and floods streets, yards, basements and other low-lying areas.
Who Should I Contact During a Flood?
If you are in immediate danger, call 911.
- Check out our Who Should I Contact During a Flood fact sheet for more information, including when to contact your insurance and hydro companies.
- To report high water levels in rivers and streams, call CVC at 905-670-1615 and ask for the Flood Duty Officer.
- To report flooding on municipal roads, blocked sewer grates or basement flooding, contact your local municipality.
How can I Prepare for a Flood?
- Sign up to receive CVC flood notifications through Alertable.
- Get a 72 Hour kit, so you are prepared for any emergency situation.
- Get a copy of A Residential Guide to Flood Prevention and Recovery to learn more about flooding and what you can do to prepare.
How can I Reduce the Chances of Flooding in my Home?
Floods are unpredictable. You may not be able to prevent flooding on your property in all cases, but there are some things to consider:
- If you live in Mississauga, see if you are eligible for any of their new programs designed to help reduce flooding in your home.
- If you are making any changes to your property and are in a regulated area, work with CVC’s planning team to learn what is allowed.
- Talk with a local contractor to see if a sump pump or backwater valve is appropriate for your home.
- Waterproof membranes or water-resilient building materials may help protect your basement from flood damage. Adding moisture alarms will help detect early on if water is getting into your home. If you already have one or more of these features, or add one to your home, keep them well maintained.
- While rain-ready landscaping may not protect your home from flooding in extreme conditions, installing a rain garden or soakaway, disconnecting a downspout, planting a tree, or increasing permeable surfaces on your property can help manage stormwater in most rain events, by slowing it down and soaking it up.
Learn how to protect you soil after flooding in our Caring for Your Yard post.