Areas to Avoid Due to Flooding

Update as of Wednesday, Sept. 2 at 8:45 p.m.

The City of Vaughan is responding to reports of water ponding/flooding in a number of areas, including the following general areas that should be avoided: 

• Martin Grove Road/Langstaff Road
• Rivermede Road/Bowes Road
• Weston Road/Rutherford Road
• Jane Street/Highway 7 
• Rutherford Road/Vaughan Mills Road 

There may be other impacted areas. Vaughan Fire and Rescue Service reminds you to not attempt to drive through any flooded roadways. Water height can be deceptive and make road passage dangerous. Do not attempt to drive through flooded areas. 

Crews and first responders will be working throughout the night to address the aftermath of this storm, including downed trees and branches. 

The City will provide another update on its storm response tomorrow at approximately 10 a.m. 

What to do with basement flooding

During a flood

• If there is water flooding into your basement, leave the area, and connect with your insurance provider.  If there is fire or an electrical emergency, call 9-1-1.
• Do not attempt to shut off the electricity if any water is present. Combining water and live electrical wires can be lethal. If your home is flooding, leave immediately and do not return until authorities indicate it is safe to do so.
• Move valuable belongings to the highest areas of the home.
• Apply water-tight sealant around window and door frames.
• Plug basement sewer drains and toilet connections with a wooden stopper, if safe to do so.
• Move hazardous substances, such as household cleaning chemicals, insecticides and pesticides, to upper areas of the home.
• Turn off electricity and natural gas if directed to do so by authorities.
• Use sandbags and flood barriers when asked to do so by authorities.
• Stay away from fast-flowing streams, rivers and areas known to flood.
• Check with Alectra Utilities Inc. that power has been turned off to your home – if it has not been turned off, have an electrician turn off the power.
• Do not drive through flooded streets and intersections. Turn around and find a safer route.

 After a flood

• Once authorities have advised it is safe to return home, restore your home to good order as soon as possible to prevent further damage to the house and its contents.
• While cleaning, minimize contact with floodwater or anything that may have been in contact with it. Keep children away from contaminated areas during cleanup operations.

 Re-entering the home or building

• Use extreme caution when returning to your home or building, and make sure the building is structurally safe. Look for buckled walls or floors and watch for holes in the floor, broken glass and other potentially dangerous debris.
• If the main power switch was not turned off prior to flooding, do not re-enter the home until a qualified electrician has determined it is safe to do so.
• Only use a flashlight to inspect for damage.
• Photograph all damage for insurance purposes.
• Dispose of all contaminated foods.
• Drain floodwaters in the basement slowly, one-third of the volume per day.
• The main electrical panel must be cleaned, dried and tested by a qualified electrician to ensure that it is safe – also, have the furnace and chimney inspected by an HVAC company.
• Appliances that may have been flooded pose a risk of shock or fire when turned on. Do not use any appliances, heating, pressure or sewage system until electrical components have been thoroughly cleaned, dried and inspected by a qualified electrician.

Vaughan Fire and Rescue Service offers a number of tips on their website for dealing with storms and other emergency situations. 

Who to call?

Here are the numbers to call for the following disruptions: 

Service Vaughan
905-832-2281
For fallen municipal trees, flooding, park damage, streetlights or municipal traffic lights

York Region
1-877-464-9675
For Regional traffic signals that are down, flashing or out, or trees downed on Regional roads

Alectra
1-833-ALECTRA (1-833-253-2872)
For fallen or damaged hydro poles or power outages

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