Emergency Preparedness in Nova Scotia
Hurricanes vary in strength, categorized into 5 levels, but even the winds of the weakest hurricanes can cause a lot of destruction.
In the case of strong winds during hurricane season, it’s best to tune into your local broadcast networks, in case a hurricane watch is issued by the authorities or meteorologists focusing on your area. If you’re near the water, it’s also a good idea to check the Marine Forecasts and Warnings for Canada.
In the event that you do hear a hurricane watch, here are a few tips to follow:
- Fill your bathtub with water for flushing, washing and cleaning. This way, you don’t have to use precious drinking water for these also necessary activities.
- Secure all gates, doors and windows.
- Clear your property of all loose furniture and other items such as trash cans, potted or hanging plants, trampolines and toys.
- If you have time, attempt to make your trees more wind resistant by trimming off any dead or diseased plants.
- Park your vehicles indoors, if possible, and especially keep them away from trees.
- Fill your vehicle’s gas tank, in case you need to evacuate quickly.
- Keep pets indoors.
- Keep boats or other watercrafts out of the water, and a good distance away from the shoreline.
- Get your Emergency Kit out of the closet and into the car, if that’s how you’re planning on leaving your property.
When a more definite hurricane warning is issued, it means that winds of at least 118 kilometers per hour are expected to blow.
- At this point, there are usually only a few hours before the hurricane strikes. Ideally you’ll have made preparations according to advice such as is found above.
- You’ll be able to leave your home quickly, if need be.
- Stay away from the water.
- Stay put after the eye of the storm has passed, because soon extreme winds will be gusting in from the opposite direction.
- Keep listening to weather reports on your portable radio, such as our ultra-sturdy and long-lasting FRX5 Weather Alert Flashlight Radio.
- Do not use a landline phone, if there is lightning. Only use a cellphone.
For more information on hurricanes in Canada, try these sites:
- Nova Scotia Canada — Hurricanes
- Environment Canada — Canadian Hurricane Centre
- Get Prepared — Government of Canada
Article contributed by Sophie Wooding – Avid gardener and cyclist in Victoria, BC and Content Writer for Frontier.io