Ontario hosts weather patterns that range from numbing cold to searing heat waves, causing a variety of natural disasters, from floods to blizzards.
The possibility of severe weather is a reality for residents of Ontario and Global warming theory suggests it may worsen in the years to come.
With some planning and preparation, you can learn how to deal with these emergencies and reduce their impact.

Thunderstorms, hail, blizzards, high winds and heavy rain can develop quickly and hit hard, threatening life and property. If you are like most Ontarians, you have probably had to clean up after these storms and you know the damage they cause.
Severe weather can occur any time of the year. Make it a habit to listen to the local radio or television stations for severe weather warnings and advice. Make sure you have a battery-powered radio on hand; electricity frequently fails during a severe storm.
To protect yourself and your family make an emergency plan and prepare or purchase an emergency kit.

Family Emergency Plan
 

A family emergency plan will help you and your family know what to do in case of an emergency. Every household needs an emergency plan.
Before starting your home emergency plan, you will need to think about:
 

Safe exits from home and neighbourhood

Meeting places to reunite with family or roommates

Designated person to pick up children should you be unavailable

Contact persons close-by and out-of-town

Health information

Place for your pet to stay

Risks in your region

Location of your fire extinguisher, water valve, electrical box, gas valve and floor drain.

A plan template is available from the Public Safety Canada website template at http://www.getprepared.../national_e.pdf

Emergency Kit
You may have some basic emergency kit items already, such as a flashlight, battery-operated radio, food, water and blankets. The key is to make sure they are organized, easy to find and easy to carry (in a suitcase with wheels or in a backpack) in case you need to evacuate your home. Whatever you do, don’t wait for a disaster to happen.

Easy to carry – think of ways that you can pack your emergency kit so that you and those on your emergency plan can easily take the items with you, if necessary.

Water – two litres of water per person per day (Include small bottles that can be carried easily in case of an evacuation order)

Food – that won’t spoil, such as canned food, energy bars and dried foods (remember to replace the food and water once a year)

Manual can opener

Flashlight and batteries

Battery–powered or wind–up radio (and extra batteries)

First aid kit

Special needs items – prescription medications, infant formula or equipment for people with disabilities

Extra keys – for your car and house

Cash – include smaller bills, such as $10 bills (travellers cheques are also useful) and change for payphones

Emergency plan – include a copy of it and ensure it contains in–town and out–of–town contact information

Emergency Vehicle Kit
Winter storms can sometimes strand motorists for long periods of time. A vehicle emergency kit can be essential to surviving a winter storm.The basic emergency kit for cars should include the following items:

Food – that won’t spoil, such as energy bars

Water – in plastic bottles so they won’t break if frozen (change every six months)

Blanket

Extra clothing and shoes

First aid kit – with seatbelt cutter

Small shovel, scraper and snowbrush

Candle in a deep can and matches

Wind–up flashlight

Whistle – in case you need to attract attention

Roadmaps

Copy of your emergency plan and personal documents
 

Also keep these inside your trunk:
Sand, salt or cat litter (non clumping)
Antifreeze/windshield washer fluid
Tow rope
Jumper cables
Fire extinguisher
Warning light or road flares

Be Prepared
It is important to know what to do and have a plan before a disaster strikes. Various government agencies provide additional information for preparing for and dealing with natural disasters. Consider your risks, develop a plan, prepare your disaster supplies kit, and discuss with your family what to do in case of an emergency.