Emergency Plan and Preparedness

In times of crisis it is important that residents have access to trusted, timely and accurate information to ensure their own safety and that of their family and loved ones. In response to this need, the Muskoka Emergency Response Committee (MERC) has chosen Voyent Alert! as the communication service provider for these kinds of events.

By downloading the Voyent Alert! app and registering, residents and visitors can select to receive notifications from a wide variety of communication channels including mobile apps, text/SMS alerting, email or voice calling.  The system will also allow you to create and track multiple locations such as “Kids School”, “Work”, “Cottage” or “Mom’s House”.   Any event or communication related to your tracked locations will be forwarded to you along your preferred communication channel(s).   Smart alerting capabilities ensure that you will only get notified when a communication is relevant to you or one of the locations you are tracking.

How to Register

Registration for the service is FREE, simple and totally anonymous.

For Mobile App Alerts: Download and install the Voyent Alert! app from the Apple or Google Play app stores.

For Email, Text Message or Voice Call Alerts: Register online at https://voyent-alert.com/ca/community/#registration

Privacy and Options for Unsubscribing:

Registration is anonymous, and no information volunteered or derived is shared or used for marketing or data harvesting purposes. Locational information from your tracked locations is only used to determine its proximity to an alert event and to provide critical context within the communications (such as distance and direction). 

For more information, you can check out the FAQ and the Voyent Alert Privacy Policy.  Both mobile applications and web-based accounts provide access to an unsubscribe feature accessed via the menu icon on the top right of the screen/page. If the service isn’t working out simply click on the “Unsubscribe” button and you won’t be hearing from us again.

What You Can Expect? 

Personalized Communications: Voyent Alert! provides informative communications. Critical information such as the distance and direction from an incident, time of intercept and preferred evacuation routes from your followed locations are provided.

Follow Multiple Locations: Voyent Alert! allows you to create and follow multiple locations such as “Kids School” or “Mom’s House”. Any event or communication related to your followed locations will be forwarded to you along your preferred communication channel.

No Message Fatigue: Voyent Alert’s smart alerting capabilities ensure that you will only get notified when a communication is relevant to you or one of the locations you are following.

Communications Your Way: Receive alerts over a wide variety of communication channels including mobile apps, text/SMS alerting, email or voice calling You can register for all or one of them.

Privacy is Paramount: Registration is anonymous, and no information volunteered or derived is shared or used for marketing or data harvesting purposes. Locational information from your followed locations is only used to determine its proximity to an alert event and to provide critical context within the communications (such as distance and direction).

Leaving is Easy: Both mobile applications and web-based accounts provide access to an unsubscribe feature accessed via the menu icon on the top right of the screen/page. If the service isn’t working out simply click on the “Unsubscribe” button and you won’t be hearing from us again.

For more information you can check out the FAQ and the Voyent Alert Privacy Policy.

The following are some general tips on how to mitigate the effects of flooding. For more information click on the links provided on the emergency preparedness page.

 Before

• Have a 72 hour kit prepared
• Have a family escape/response plan prepared and discuss/practice it with everyone in your home so they know their roles and responsibilities
• Discuss with younger members of your home, the dangers in getting close to flood waters and fast moving streams
• Discuss exactly what flood coverage, if any, you have with your insurance company, to ensure you are covered
• Have your furnace, water heater and electrical panel raised by a professional contractor if you live in flood prone areas
• Have a plumber install check-valves in your home’s drain to prevent flood water from backing up into them
• Check with your local municipality for availability of sand bags to create a barrier between flood waters and your home.  Sandbags are normally also available at local hardware stores.  Sandbagging Instructions; Sandbagging Video. 
• Investigate other flooding protection products for your property (these are examples - companies are not endorsed by the Town of Bracebridge): Flood Gates, Flood Bags and Barriers, Aquadam.
• Seal basement walls with waterproofing compounds
• Caulk around basement windows and ground level doors
• Ensure downspout drainage from eaves troughs drains water well away from your home
• Have instructions for shutting off gas and water valves, learn the process
• Resource - Muskoka Flood Plain Mapping
• Resource - Ministry of Natural Resources and Forestry - Flood Forecasting and Warning Program
• Resource - District of Muskoka - A Guide to Flood Prevention and Recovery

During

• Be prepared to evacuate above all else, should conditions change
• Bring in outdoor furniture
• Unplug electrical appliances – DO NOT do so if you are wet or standing in water
• Move valuables/important documents to higher levels of your home
• Move any household chemicals to higher levels of your home
• Ensure vehicles are fueled in case they are needed to evacuate
• Do not consume anything that has come into contact with flood waters
• Do not drive through flood waters – most small cars can be swept away by two feet of fast moving water
• Do not walk through flood waters, if you must, look for areas where the water is not moving and use a stick to check for depth
• Keep children away from floodwaters, if they must cross them, have an adult assist
• Be extra cautious if flooding is at night, as hazards are much harder to detect
• If you must evacuate, lock your doors behind you if there is time
• Follow instructions given from the authorities

 After

• Only return to your homes if the area has been deemed safe by the authorities, many dangers are prevalent after the waters have receded
• Watch for loose, damaged or fallen power lines
• Look for foundation cracks
• Do not enter any buildings that have collapsed or partially collapsed, they will need to be checked by building authorities
• Be on the lookout for any wild animals that may have been displaced by the flooding
• If you smell propane, natural gas or hear hissing in or around your home, leave immediately and call 911
• Discard any food or drink that may have come into contact with flood water, this includes any pet foods
• Monitor the media for boil water advisories or any other information
• Take photos of damage to assist with insurance coverage
• If you do any clean up, use gloves, safety glasses or any other protective equipment to minimize contact with contaminates.
• Find out if you are eligible for funding through Disaster Recovery Assistance For Ontarians (DRAO)

Extreme Cold

Exposure to cold weather can cause serious and sometimes life-threatening health problems. Cold-related adverse health outcomes are preventable. You can protect yourself and those you care about by understanding how cold weather affects your health and by taking appropriate actions to reduce the risk.

When temperatures reach the extreme cold warning criteria, a cold warning will be issued by Environment and Climate Change Canada for the Muskoka area.  The Simcoe Muskoka District Health Unit (SMDHU) will activate the extreme cold warning notification response system to communicate the warning to municipalities, community partners, and the public. The extreme cold warning criteria for the District of Muskoka states temperatures or wind chill of -35ºC for at least 2 hours within a 24-hour period must be forecasted.

Cold Weather Safety Tips

First Aid for Cold Injuries

District of Muskoka - Extreme Weather Supports

District of Muskoka Homelessness and Housing Support Fund

Extreme Heat

When the outdoor temperatures begin to rise, staying cool can be difficult and exposure to high temperatures can cause serious or life-threatening health effects. During these times, our greatest concerns are for the people most at risk. These include infants, seniors, the homeless, outdoor workers, athletes, people living in poorly ventilated homes or without air conditioning, and anyone with a power outage due to other weather-related events. 

Hot Weather Safety Tips

First Aid for Heat Injuries

District of Muskoka Homelessness and Housing Support Fund

 

Thunderstorms, hail, blizzards, ice storms, high winds and heavy rain can develop quickly and threaten life and property. Storms can also lead to extended power outages, localized flooding and closed roads due to downed trees.  

To report a downed tree or other hazard blocking a public roadway after a storm:

• District of Muskoka Roads:  Call 705-645-2100 (24 hours) or Report A Roads Issue
• Town of Bracebridge Roads:  Call 705-645-5264 (24 hours) or Report a Problem

Tips On Severe Storm Preparation

Ensure you have a 72 Hour Kit

Environment Canada - Weather Radar

Most power outages will be over almost as soon as they begin, but some can last much longer - up to days or even weeks. Power outages are often caused by freezing rain, sleet storms and/or high winds which damage power lines and equipment. Cold snaps or heat waves can also overload the electric power system.

During a power outage, you may be left without heating/air conditioning, lighting, hot water, or even running water. If you only have a cordless phone, you will also be left without phone service. If you do not have a battery-powered or crank radio, you may have no way of monitoring news broadcasts. In other words, you could be facing major challenges.

Ensure you have a 72 Hour Kit.  If you are using a portable generator during a power outage, be sure that it is located outside in a property ventilated area away from your home.  See Generator Safety Tips from the Canadian Red Cross.

Lakeland Power is responsible for the electricity distribution to the residents and businesses within Bracebridge's urban boundaries. 

Lakeland Power Outage Portal

Lakeland Power Outage Line: (888) 282-7711

Hydro One is responsible for the electricity distribution to residents and businesses in rural areas of Bracebridge and islands within the municipality.  

Hydro One Storm Centre

Hydro One Report An Outage

Water and Sewer services in Bracebridge are provided by the District of Muskoka.  In the case of a water service disruption, it is important to be prepared by taking simple steps to ensure that you and your family have an adequate supply of safe drinking water to see you through almost any interruption in service. In addition, understanding how your system works can help you to make the right decisions in the event of a water supply emergency.

District of Muskoka Water and Sewer Service Disruptions

In addition, the Simcoe Muskoka District Health Unit will issue advisories to notify the public when there are conditions that indicate drinking water may not be safe for consumption. These advisory notices are to help prevent possible water-borne illness.

Bacteria and other harmful contaminants can make their way into our drinking water supply through:

• Improper disinfection and/or treatment of water
• Loss of pressure in the water system due to a water main break
• Flooding
• Community outbreak of a water-borne illness

SMDHU Drinking Water Advisories