Get prepared for storms and severe weather

• Develop an emergency plan
• Put together your emergency kit
• Be prepared to live without power for several days
• Have grab-and-go bags ready in case you need to leave quickly due to hazards such as floods, landslides or wildfires
• Research what insurance coverage is available for your home or property

Wear appropriate clothing

When you’re outside during cold conditions, stay warm and protected with seasonally appropriate clothing and gear, such as:

• A hat and gloves to prevent heat loss
• Waterproof or winterproof boots with good grip to stay warm and prevent falls
• Bright colours and reflective clothing so vehicles can see you
• Clothes in layers, with a wind resistant outer layer

Identify a winter weather buddy

If you live alone or experience mobility challenges during cold weather or snowy and icy conditions, make connections to find a winter weather buddy. Your buddy should be someone who can:

• help with shoveling snow
• help with running errands if you can’t leave your home
• check in during cold weather or snowy and icy conditions

Winterize your home

A few simple steps can help prepare your home for winter conditions including extreme cold emergencies.

• Insulate walls and attics. Check with your service provider for details on insulation and heat rebate programs or emergency power assistance funds
• Install weather-stripping along doors and windows
• Learn how to keep pipes from freezing
• Have a shovel and salt ready. Remove snow from sidewalks and driveways to help reduce the chance of slips and falls
• If your home is drafty, visit BC Hydro’s winter home heating tips. You can also investigate subsidy programs such as:
  • Better Homes B.C.
  • CleanBC Income Qualified Program
  • Empower Me

Winterize your vehicle

Ensure vehicles are ready for snowy and icy conditions with proper maintenance.

• Install winter tires between October 1 and April 30. They provide better traction in cold temperatures and in snow, slush, and icy conditions
• Keep your gas tank at least half full or electric vehicle half charged at all times
• Visit Shift Into Winter for important road and vehicle safety information
• Create a vehicle emergency kit with the following winter-specific items:
  • Windshield scraper
  • Shovel
  • Tow rope
  • Seasonal clothing
  • Booster cables
  • Reflective triangle or clothing
  • Antifreeze and windshield washer fluid
  • Sand or non-clumping kitty litter for better tire traction in snow and ice

Seek emergency warming centres if needed

In response to severe weather events and extreme cold:

• Emergency warming centres and general warming spaces may be opened for the public. These are activated at the discretion of First Nations and local governments.
• Locations may be listed on EmergencyMapBC.ca at the discretion of First Nations and local governments.
• If a location is not listed on the map in your area, contact your Band office or local government.

For people experiencing homelessness:

• Temporary winter shelters and extreme weather response shelter spaces are available. These shelters are funded by BC Housing and operated by community partners

Extreme cold health effects

Learn about the health effects of extreme cold and how to support those who are at higher risk:

• BCCDC - Public Health Recommendations to Reduce the Impacts of Exposure to Winter Weather on People Experiencing Homelessness in British Columbia (PDF)
• Toward the Heart - Prepare for Extreme Cold Weather: A Guide for Housing Service Providers (PDF)
• HealthLinkBC – Your health this winter

High winds can knock down trees and power lines and cause power outages, coastal flooding and damage to property.

A few simple steps can help protect your home and property from damage by high winds:

• Keep trees and shrubs trimmed to make them wind resistant. Remove damaged branches
• Inspect your home for anything that may come loose during high winds, such as your chimney or roof shingles
• Secure outdoor items, like lawn furniture and barbecues
• Use surge protectors to protect appliances and electronics in the event of a power outage
• Check for pre-existing damage to the foundation

During high winds, if you are outdoors keep yourself safe by watching for and avoiding knocked down trees and power lines. Seek shelter indoors if possible.

Thunderstorms and lightning can pose a risk to people and property, and in some cases cause power outages and wildfires.

Stay safe during a thunderstorm by seeking shelter immediately:

• Go indoors or into a vehicle
• Stay away from windows, doors, and anything that conducts electricity (such as, metal pipes, appliances, water)

While indoors, avoid using wired electronics or phones, as they can be electrical hazards. Use battery-powered devices like flashlights instead.

Tip: before a thunderstorm occurs, use surge protectors to protect appliances and electronics in the event of a power outage caused by thunderstorms.

Heavy rain can lead to floods, landslides and erosion that can all pose a risk to people and property.

Protect your home from flooding

Start with some basic steps to prevent flood damage:

• Store valuables and important items on high shelves or in water-tight containers
• Clean gutters and keep storm drains clear
• Clear snow at least 1 to 1.5 metres from your foundation in the winter

Protect utilities and appliances:

• Raise appliances, electrical panels, and sockets
• Anchor oil tanks and fuel supplies
• Install a sump pump and backflow valves
• Use waterproof materials (such as, tile floors, flood-resistant drywall)
• Protect your gas and electrical systems and appliances with tips from Technical Safety BC

Seal and safeguard your home:

• Apply sealant around basement windows and doors
• Install self-closing flood barriers
• Use flood-resistant exterior doors
• Improve landscaping and drainage:
• Enhance landscaping to direct water away from foundation
• Use permeable paving for driveways and sidewalks
• Dig trenches (call 1-800-474-6886 before you dig to prevent damage to gas or electricity lines)

Protect your home from landslides

Avoid actions that would make slopes unstable. Do not:

• Undercut a steep bank
• Build near the top or base of steep slopes
• Place fill on steep slopes
• Drain pools or otherwise increase water flow down steep slopes

Learn about whether your area may be at risk of a landslide. Look out for:

• Evidence of old landslides
• Steep slopes
• Drainage channels on steep slopes
• Coastal cliffs

Know who to notify if you recognize these signs. Find a local municipal contact or ask an expert to conduct an inspection, such as a geotechnical engineer.

Regularly inspect your residence, especially after heavy rainfall, rapid snowmelt, long dry spells, and earthquakes.

Know what to expect in an evacuation

If the danger from a flood or landslide is severe enough, you may need to evacuate. Learn what happens during an emergency evacuation, such as the different orders, where to get your information and more. 

Hailstorms can damage vehicles, buildings, and crops, and injure people and animals.

Protect your home and property

There are steps you can take in advance to protect your home and property from hailstorms.

• Park your vehicle in a covered area, or cover your vehicle's windows with blankets or other padding
• Clear your eavestroughs of debris to ensure proper drainage
• Cover outdoor items like barbecues and patio furniture
• Do not store propane tanks indoors
• Use window safety films to help prevent glass from shattering
• Consider installing impact-resistant storm shutters for windows, skylights and doors
• Consider installing impact-resistant roofing on buildings located in areas with moderate to high risk of hailstorms. Talk to a roofing specialist to determine the best hail-resistant materials and methods
• Consider installing impact-resilient siding (e.g. not vinyl)

Stay safe during a hailstorm

During a hailstorm, seek shelter in a secure building. Stay away from windows, doors, and skylights

If driving:

• Pull over safely
• Turn away from windows to protect yourself from shattered glass

If caught outside with no shelter:

• Crouch down facing away from the wind
• Shield your head and neck with your hands

Although rare in B.C., tornados are possible. It is important to know how to stay safe when one occurs.

If indoors:

• Seek shelter in a well-supported basement or the lowest, most central room of a building.
• Protect your head and neck
• Stay away from windows
• Avoid using elevators

If outside with no shelter:

• Lie flat in a ditch or low-lying area.
• Cover your head with your hand
• Do not shelter under bridges or overpasses

Mobile homes:

• Move to a sturdy building immediately. Mobile homes offer little protection during a tornado

If driving:

• Do not try to outrun the tornado
• Find shelter in a solid structure

If no shelter is available:

• Park safely.
• Seek low ground away from your vehicle
• Watch for rising water and downed power lines

After the tornado passes:

• Remain sheltered for at least 60 seconds
• Stay alert for additional storms