Flooding and Electrical Safety
To prepare for a flood
- Cut the power supply to the entire house to prevent electrocution or fire. Use a dry stick or similar implement to flip the master switch to the off position, first making sure you are not in contact with a wet floor or metal object.
- Contact emergency preparedness authorities in your municipality for information on the situation.
- Arrange for shelter in case you are forced to evacuate your home.
- Stock up on food and drinking water.
- Equip yourself with a first aid kit.
- Obtain a battery-operated radio in good working order to listen to advisories issued by the authorities.
- Move furniture, valuables and buoyant objects from the basement to the ground floor.
- Put potential pollutants such as insecticides, weed-killers or fuels in a safe place.
- Plug all wastewater drains in the basement to keep sewer water from backing up into the house.
If the basement is already flooding
- Don't touch anything! Contact Hydro-Québec immediately at 1 800 790-2424 to have the power cut at the meter or pole.
- Inform the municipality.
- Take a battery-operated radio, a flashlight, warm dry clothes and waterproof footwear.
- Don't forget essential medications, babycare items, toiletries and, most importantly, personal identification and important documents.
- Don't wait until the roads are jammed, and drive safely!
When the flood waters have receded
- Consult a master electrician before restoring power, or having it restored, especially if the distribution panel was flooded. He or she will assess the condition of your electrical system, carry out repairs if necessary and, if service was disconnected at the meter or pole, ask Hydro-Québec to reconnect you.
- Make sure the water is fit for consumption and sanitary fixtures are in proper condition.
- Dispose of any food that came in contact with flood water.
- Clean and disinfect the rooms that were flooded.
- Spray your property with insecticide (this is all you need to do outside the house).
- If water found its way into pipes that carry fuel oil for heating, have the oil tank and furnace checked by a specialist. The burner or safety devices could be corroded.
