Flooding: Instructions for evacuation

Last updated April 2, 2025
Reading time: 1 min
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If there is a flood, at what point should you evacuate your home? What precautions should you take before leaving? Follow our advice and be ready for disaster if it strikes.

Safety instructions

  • Build a dike or install sandbags in strategic locations to prevent water infiltration.
  • See the guide (in French) offered by the Organisation de la sécurité civile du Québec for more details on how to set up a dike.
  • Contact 311 about sandbag distribution in your borough.
  • Avoid walking or driving through flooded areas. The current could sweep you away. Your vehicle could also get stuck.

When to evacuate

You must leave your home as soon as there is reason to be concerned about the water level, or when authorities ask you to do so.

If it looks like water might reach your electrical panel, you must leave quickly.

Before you leave

Before water starts seeping

Shut off power everywhere in the house to eliminate risk of electrocution or fire. Make sure your feet are dry and that you are not leaning on anything made of metal.

If water starts flooding into your basement

Don’t try to shut off power yourself. Call Hydro-Québec immediately at 1-800-790-2424 and ask them to shut it off at the meter or electric pole.

  • Shut off your water supply and gas feed, and turn off all heating appliances.
  • Lock the doors.
  • Don’t forget to take your emergency kit with you.

Don’t go back home until you have the authorities’ permission.

Where to find temporary accommodation

Are you going to stay with someone you know? You must advise emergency responders, either by going to a multiservice help centre for flood victims, or by calling 311 if you can’t go to the centre.

Do you need a place to stay? Go to the multiservice help centre to find out what options are available in your area.

What to do with your pet

If you have to evacuate, you need to find a safe place for your pet. If necessary, call 311 for a list of organizations that can take care of your pet.

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