After a Flood

Food and Water Safety

Cleaning After a Flood

Electrical Safety

After a Flood

After a flood event

Do not return home until local emergency officials announce that the emergency situation is over and it is safe to do so. Before returning, make sure there is a safe water supply and an adequate sewage disposal system in operation. If you are in doubt, contact the Simcoe Muskoka District Health Unit. Once you return, a few additional precautions will help keep you and your family safe:

  • If the building is primarily flood water-free, inspect the foundations for cracks or other damage before entering. Once inside, examine walls, floors, doors, and windows to make sure that the building is not in danger of collapsing.
  • If your well has been flooded, assume the water in your home has been contaminated. If you are on a public water system, listen to your local media for news from your health authority to find out if your water is contaminated. Each Health Authority will have a list of boil water advisories for their area.
  • If water is contaminated, bottled water is the best choice.
  • Destroy contaminated foods - Floodwater is contaminated and can make food and drinks unsafe to consume. Destroy all:
    • Non-liquid foods, including cereals, flour, shortening & spices;
    • Packaged food and meats (fresh and cured);
    • Canned goods (if damaged or leaking);
    • Bottled foods, including home preserves;
    • Bottled drinks (contamination can seep under the edge of the cap); and
    • Fresh vegetables and produce.
  • In most instances, flooding will not seriously affect septic tanks. However, flooding may cause damage to your sewage disposal field if you use the system before flood waters have dropped below the distribution trenches in your septic field. It is suggested that you get more information before using your septic system after a flood.
  • lf you lose power during or after a flood, NEVER USE a gas oven, range, barbeque, hibachi or portable propane heater to heat your home. These units use up the oxygen and give off carbon monoxide, which can cause suffocation and death if used indoors.
  • All insulation of any thermally insulated appliances must be properly repaired or replaced before operation if the appliances have been partially or completed submerged. These appliances include: water heaters, refrigerators, freezers and ranges.
  • Call the gas company to check your meter and regulator before using your gas system as flood waters may have shifted your home or caused other stresses to the gas piping.
  • Contact your insurance agency about any damages. Take pictures of your property. Information about flood recovery and assistance programs will be made available or contact your local government for more information.
  • In some flooded areas water levels may reach or submerge power-bearing electrical cables. Extreme caution must be exercised.
  • Do not enter any buildings that have collapsed or partially collapsed, they will need to be checked by building authorities.
  • If you smell propane, natural gas or hear hissing in or around your home, leave immediately and call 9-1-1.

Clean Up

Mould and Indoor Air Quality

After a flood, it’s important to restore your home to good order as soon as possible to protect your health and prevent further damage to your home and belongings. In an emergency situation, the indoor air quality in your home may appear to be the least of your problems.

However, failure to remove standing water or water damaged materials can present serious long-term health risks. Standing water and wet materials will allow viruses, bacteria, and mould to grow. These organisms can cause disease, trigger allergic reactions, and continue to damage materials long after the flood.

Immediate action is important. Your house and furnishings are less likely to grow mould if they are dried within 48 hours.

  • Washing affected areas with a solution of one part household bleach to ten parts water will remove mould and mildew. The risk of moulds growing will continue as long as there is any significant moisture still remaining in your home, as moulds thrive on moisture and warmth.
  • If you can, wear gloves, boots and eye protection to avoid skin contact with anything that has been contaminated by floodwaters.
  • Keep children away from flooded areas.
  • Wash your hands frequently with soap and disinfected water to prevent the spread of disease. This should be done before preparing or eating food, after toilet use, and after flood clean up when you may have come into contact with contaminated articles

Structures and Septic Systems

Docks, decks, and dwellings.

Once water has receded, staff in the Building Service Branch are available to inspect properties that have been affected by flooding on request.

Please contact building@bracebridge.ca with details about the nature of the issue (septic or structure), property address, and when someone would be available on site to meet staff.  

Generally, building permits are required to: 

  • Undertake any structural changes, alteration or repair to a building;
  • Repair or replace a septic tank or filter bed;
  • Any changes or additional plumbing;
  • Additions to a building; and
  • Any structure greater than 10 square meters.

More information on what is required for a building permit.

It is recommended that if your septic system has been flooded that the septic tank be pumped.

If you do have the tank pumped please provide a copy of the receipt to the town so it can put in the property file for our records.

If there is any erosion of the filter bed this is required to be repaired and seeded; please contact the Building Services Branch for an inspection.

A building permit may not be required to replace an existing dock if there is proof that a dock existed legally prior to the flood.  

  • If the Town does not have any record of a dock on the property, you will be required to provide proof of the dock, the size of dock and location prior to undertaking any repairs or restoration.
  • If the dock was supported by cribs, and the cribs have been damaged beyond repair, the dock would be required to be supported by piles or floating.  Cribs are not permitted to be used on the river

A building permit may not be required to repair an existing boathouse unless there has been structural damage to the boathouse that has been affected by the flooding.

If you have any questions regarding buildings or a septic system that has been affected by flooding please contact the Town of Bracebridge Building Services Branch of the Planning and Development Department. at building@bracebridge.ca.

Resources

Contact Us

Town of Bracebridge
1000 Taylor Court
Bracebridge, ON P1L 1R6
Phone: (705) 645 5264

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