Flood protection

Remember that anywhere it rains, it can flood. Just because you haven't experienced a flood in the past, doesn't mean you won't in the future. Flood risk isn't solely based on history; it's based on a number of factors including rainfall, topography, flood-control measures, river-flow and changes due to new construction and development.

To prepare for a flood, you should:

• Build or purchase an emergency kit and make a family communications plan
• Elevate the furnace, water heater and electric panel in your home if you live in an area that is prone to flooding or deemed at high risk
• Install weather protection sealant around basement windows and the base of ground-level doors
• Ensure downspouts drain a sufficient distance from your home to ensure that water flows away from the building
• Consider installing a sump pump and zero reverse flow valves in basement floor drains
• Do not store your important documents in the basement. Keep them at a higher level, protected from flood damage.

If you have ditches and culverts along your driveway, maintaining them is your responsibility. Keep them free of obstruction as they are the channel to carry excess water during rainfall. For more information visit the Ditches and Driveway Culverts page.

If you are widening your driveway, or applying for a curb cutting or culvert replacement, make sure you apply to the town for necessary permits. Compromised culverts and ditches along your driveway can flood easily. 

Sometimes flooding is caused by poor grading of a property, a sump pump has stopped working, a leaking pipe, a drain pipe pointed to an inappropriate area, or plugged weepers around a house.  It is the homeowner’s responsibility to maintain their property and to ensure it does not impact neighbouring properties. Reach out to your neighbour if you notice flooding on their property.

Learn more about a property owners responsibility on the Property Drainage and Grading page.

Town staff perform a number of activities to ensure the rainwater network operates as planned and that actionable responses are available if unexpected situations arise. These include: 

• Pre-event activities: 
  • Monitoring, inspection and maintenance – staff  use several weather/flood reporting services, including the Conservation Authorities and use this information to prepare for pre-storm event activities such as patrol inspections and pro-active works. Proactive works include clearing inlets / outlets and pushing back snow banks identified by patrol inspections when potential significant rainfall and/or fast melt scenarios are in the forecast.
• Service calls
  • All flood related service calls are to be directed to ServiceOakville as this will allow the town to track the event and document activities for post review and/or follow-up.
• During-event activities: 
  • Emergency support/response – during a storm event, staff monitors service calls and are deployed to inspect, service, support and remedy (where possible) emergency issues that arise such as clearing blockages or cordoning off and securing an area until flood waters subside. 
• Post event
  • Support/response - staff will respond to flood related service calls to examine cause and address public infrastructure elements if/when found to be the cause or contributor. If simple, the remedy to address the issue will be actioned in a timely manner. Often, an issue requires further review and potential for inclusion in future capital programs. Staff will also clean up roads and rights of way following a flood event where debris and material are left behind once flood waters subside. 
  • Post event reviews - de-briefs are conducted to ensure simple remedies are completed and issues have been resolved and include adding the location to proactive inspection programs; more extensive investigation/engineering review and/or addition to the capital program for longer term improvements.