How to Create a Family Emergency Weather Plan
When severe weather strikes, having a pre-made family emergency plan can save lives. This guide walks you through creating a plan tailored to the weather risks in your specific region of Canada.
Why Every Family Needs an Emergency Weather Plan
Emergencies are stressful and disorienting. A pre-established plan means family members know what to do, where to go, and how to communicate — even when communications are disrupted. The time to make these decisions is not during a crisis.
Step 1: Know Your Local Risks
Different regions of Canada face different weather threats. Identify the primary risks in your area: tornadoes (Prairie provinces, southern Ontario), flooding (river valleys, coastal areas), ice storms (Ontario, Quebec, Atlantic Canada), extreme cold (all of Canada, most severely in the Prairies and North), wildfires (BC, Alberta, boreal forest regions), hurricanes (Atlantic Canada). Your plan should prioritize preparation for these specific risks.
Step 2: Establish a Meeting Place
Designate two meeting places: one near your home (e.g., a neighbour's house or the corner of your street) for emergencies that force you to leave home quickly, and one further away (e.g., a specific relative's home or a community centre) for emergencies that require you to leave the neighbourhood. Make sure all family members know both locations.
Step 3: Designate an Out-of-Province Contact
During local disasters, local phone lines are often congested. An out-of-province contact can serve as a communication hub — all family members call or text this person to report their status, and the contact relays information. Ironically, long-distance calls often go through more easily during local emergencies.
Step 4: Build Your Emergency Kit
Every family should have a 72-hour emergency kit containing: water (2 litres per person per day), non-perishable food, a battery-powered or hand-crank radio, flashlights and batteries, first aid kit, copies of important documents (ID, insurance, prescriptions), emergency contact list (don't rely only on your phone), cash, any medications needed, and items for infants, elderly, or pets in the household.
Step 5: Plan for Your Pets
Most public emergency shelters do not accept pets. Research pet-friendly hotels, friends' or family members' homes, and veterinary clinics that might shelter animals during emergencies. Keep a pet emergency kit with food, water, medications, a carrier, and your vet's contact information.
Step 6: Practice and Review
Review your plan with all family members annually — before the season of your primary weather risk (e.g., before tornado season, before hurricane season). Practice your evacuation route. Update contact information and rotate emergency kit supplies.
