How to recover after an emergency

Learn how to recover after an emergency, including:

  • Returning home safely and what to do after specific emergencies
  • How you might feel
  • Helping your community recover

Returning home safely

If you were evacuated from your home during an emergency, care should be taken when re-entering your home. Remain safely sheltered, outside the evacuation area, until told by authorities it is safe to return.

  • Stay tuned to local radio and TV stations for advice and instructions from municipal officials about medical help, emergency housing, clothing and food assistance, ways to help yourself and your community
  • Drive only when necessary and be careful as streets may be obstructed by debris or loose/dangling power wires (report them immediately to the local power company)
  • Report broken gas, sewer or water mains to your local municipality
  • When you arrive home, check refrigerated food
  • Throw out perishable food in your refrigerator (meat, fish, cut fruits and vegetables, eggs, milk and leftovers) after four hours without power or a cold source like dry ice; if you are unsure whether an item is spoiled, be food safe and throw it out
  • If raw food has leaked during thawing, clean and disinfect the contaminated areas; do not reuse the cloths you have used for clean-up until they have been disinfected by washing in hot water 

Be aware of potential dangers and watch your step as debris, broken bottle, and boards with nails could be scattered. 

Floods

Returning home after a flood

Environment and Climate Change Canada issues Special Weather Statements when heavy rainfall has the potential to cause local flooding. Local conservation authorities also communicate local flood messaging.

Do not return home until authorities have deemed it safe to do so. Take care when re-entering your home after a flood, as water may be heavily contaminated with sewage and other pollutants that can pose a health hazard. Assume that everything touched by floodwater has been contaminated and must be cleaned and disinfected or thrown away. If the material is replaceable and cannot be thoroughly cleaned and rapidly dried, it should be replaced. 

Be sure to take the following precautions:
  • Check building for foundation damage and make sure all overhangs are supported
  • Use a dry piece of wood to turn off electricity at main breaker or fuse box
  • Ensure all your utilities (gas, hydro, water) are off and/or safely reconnected by your provider
  • Inspect for damage inside your house
  • Check for signs of mould, leaks or excessive moisture; wet drywall and ceiling tiles  should be discarded as there is a greater chance they may have mould growing on them
  • Drain basement water by one-third of the volume of water per day (draining quickly can structurally damage your home)
  • Never use wet appliances unless a qualified serviceperson has deemed them safe
  • Contact a heating repair company to inspect your furnace and chimney

This flooding factsheet provides a number of safety precautions to follow after you return home and when cleaning up, including:

  • Wear rubber gloves, rubber boots and protective eyewear when cleaning up
  • Dispose of all contaminated food
  • Use undiluted household bleach (5.25%) when preparing a disinfectant solution
    • Bleach water recipes (add bleach to water): Mix two cups (500 mL) of bleach with 18 cups (4.5 L) of water OR Mix one cup (250 mL) of bleach with nine cups (2.25 L) of water OR Mix five tablespoons (25 mL) of bleach with approximately one cup (225 mL) of water
    • Where possible, scrub small areas of mould with water and mild detergent. Dry the area quickly and completely. Open windows and doors to provide plenty of fresh air. Homeowners should consult a professional for help with cleaning areas of mould greater than one square metre

Well water

Those on private wells or surface water impacted by the flood are reminded that they should continue to use an alternative water source until they confirm their water is safe for use.

After the flood waters recede, all residents with private water systems should:

  • Assess their wells/surface water intake to check for flood waters and damage. There should be no floodwater immediately surrounding the well. The ground around the well may have eroded during flooding, possibly creating unsafe conditions for surface water and allowing contaminants to enter the well  
  • Flush the well of any floodwater

Drinking water systems that have been impacted by a flood should first be flushed of any floodwater. Then the well and internal plumbing needs to be disinfected. Finally, the drinking water should be tested for bacteria and found to be safe to drink before using again. You can also find instructions on how to test your private drinking water system water and disinfect wells.

Power outages

When power is restored:

  • Only turn on what you need to give the system a chance to stabilize
  • Don’t risk eating spoiled food by immediately discarding it from your fridge and freezer; for more information on food safety related to a power outage, visit the what to do during a power outage section
  • Reset your clocks, timers and alarms
  • Replace any items used from your 72-hour kit
Severe summer storms

After the storm is over

Continue to be careful, stay tuned into the weather and follow directions from local authorities, if required.

Tornados

After a tornado has touched down

  • Monitor media and social media for information about how to get help, if needed
  • Report any emergency situations to local police, fire or paramedic services
  • Check for gas leaks in your home; if you smell gas (a rotten egg odour), evacuate the house immediately and call 9-1-1
    Always follow instructions provided to you by your local gas company and local emergency responders
  • DO NOT approach or touch any liquid or vapour cloud that might have come from a gas line leak or chemical leak
    Remove your car or any equipment that could be a potential ignition source; this includes smoking, lighting a match or using electronics (cell phones, pagers, flashlights, keyless entry remotes and vehicle alarms)
  • Check for blown fuses, circuit breakers or short-circuits in your home wiring and equipment (if a problem exists, call an expert)
  • Be mindful of any debris, damage to homes, buildings, roads and bridges
  • Notify your insurance agent or broker if your property is damaged
Winter storms

After the storm is over

Continue to be careful, stay tuned into the weather and follow directions from local authorities, if required.

Other considerations

What if there’s damage?

Take steps immediately to protect your property from further damage. If it is safe to do so, take photos of the damage. Board up holes and shut off water supplies to prevent further damage. If possible, get your car under cover.

Save receipts for materials you use. Any reasonable costs incurred to protect your property may be covered by your insurance company. Advise your insurance representative about your loss as soon as possible. For free information on car and home insurance, call the Insurance Bureau of Canada Consumer Information Centre at 1-800-387-2880 or visit ibc.ca

You may also be eligible to apply for financial help from the Disaster Recovery Assistance for Ontarians (DRAO) program. It is a program that can help you recover costs after a natural disaster, but not intended to replace insurance coverage.

How you might feel after a disaster

Large-scale events like a natural disaster or traumatic event can affect every aspect of our lives. It is important to acknowledge this will impact each of us differently and know where to get support if needed.

People who have been through a natural disaster may experience a confusing range of emotions – fear, shock, anger, survivor guilt, grief and sadness. Common effects that may result from the initial reaction include panic reaction, exhaustion and physiological responses such as muscle strain and headaches. These effects can last for weeks and months following a traumatic event.

Other common reactions include:

  • Feeling exhausted for no reason
  • Difficult or broken sleep patterns
  • Lack of energy for normal activities
  • Difficulty concentrating on or remembering everyday tasks
  • Feeling overwhelmed by normal demands of work and home
  • Becoming easily irritated by little things, such as noise
  • Abuse of alcohol or drugs, particularly in reaction to difficult emotions or for help in falling asleep

Other challenges

Other challenges following a disaster that can negatively impact existing issues in daily life include:

  • Dealing with the emotional reactions of family members
  • Family and marital challenges including domestic violence
  • Uncertainty about insurance coverage or financial strain due to insurance shortfalls
  • Reconstruction strains and delays
  • The discomfort and lack of privacy of having to live in shelters, damaged homes, motels or with relatives 

Learning to cope

Just as we are all impacted differently, we too will find our own ways to cope. Honour the time you need to build back that emotional resilience and start the healing process. Here are some steps you can take to promote your own physical and emotional healing:

  • Engage in activities you enjoy
  • Spend time with good friends and loved ones
  • Eat healthy foods and get plenty of rest
  • Exercise regularly and listen to your body’s needs
  • Refrain from using cigarettes, alcohol and drugs
  • Talk to others who have experienced a similar event
  • Reach out to spiritual leaders and doctors who can also provide good sources of support
  • Talk about your feelings with family and friends and share the above information with them so they can also understand your experience
  • Talk to others who experienced the event as they may have similar feelings and insight

Getting support

If you are struggling after experiencing a traumatic event, check out the following supports and resources for you and your loved ones:

If you are experiencing a mental health emergency, call 1.855.310.COPE or visit yssn.ca/310-cope/ 

Helping your community recover – donate or volunteer

Do you want to help your community recover? You can do this by donating or volunteering. 

Donate

The most sensible and efficient way you can help people in need after a disaster is to donate money to a reputable volunteer agency involved in disaster relief.

Before donating any goods, including food or clothing, make sure they are actually needed by confirming with the agency or local officials. Unneeded items overwhelm the recovery effort and may go to waste.

Volunteer

Many volunteer agencies may be brought in to help during a disaster, each one providing a different service. Here are a few tips about volunteering:

  • Volunteer with a recognized disaster response organization (such as the Red Cross or St. John Ambulance) before a disaster happens
  • Do not go directly to volunteer at a relief organization, hospital or disaster site during or immediately following an emergency
  • Wait for instructions from local officials or check with specific organizations as to their needs
  • Be prepared to provide information on what skills and training you can offer

Be patient. Immediately following a disaster, many people are often waiting to volunteer. Remember there may be a greater need for volunteers in the weeks and months following a disaster.

Front cover of the Emergency Preparedness Guidebook

Emergency Preparedness Guide

What to do before, during and after emergencies.

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