Extreme weather preparedness and response
In the past few years, Ottawa has experienced multiple extreme weather events including flooding, tornadoes, a derecho, ice storms and poor air quality due to wildfire smoke. These events impact people’s health, damage property, and place a huge financial and mental strain on communities and the City.
The frequency and severity of extreme weather events are expected to increase with climate change, as will prolonged heat waves and the risk of drought. Extreme weather directly impacts communities and worsens many of the inequities that are already present. While the City and its partners have excellent emergency response systems, climate change places a greater strain on both community and City resources. It also highlights the need for greater preparedness by private and non-profit housing and care providers and enhanced support from all levels of government.
We all need to take steps to prepare for and respond to more frequent and severe weather events and support the most vulnerable.
Key actions proposed to strengthen extreme weather preparedness and response
- Increase the capacity of the City to respond to emergencies through training, updating preparedness and response plans, and equipping more emergency reception centres.
- Provide community education and support on extreme weather preparedness including targeted outreach to flood and wildfire-prone areas. Support community-led emergency planning and volunteer networks.
- Target support for most at-risk populations including emergency distribution of food, water and medical batteries, and coordinating wellness visits. Advocate to provincial and federal governments for additional support.
- Work with local partners to create community-based hubs that supplement City reception centres and provide support to residents closer to where they live.
- Prepare for more power outages with emergency power at reception centres, improved communications, and strategies to restore power quickly for at-risk populations and critical services. Advocate for strengthened preparedness and response plans at privately-owned buildings and long term-care facilities to provide essential power, heat or cooling, and water for up to 72 hours.
- Support hydro utility efforts to improve electrical grid resiliency through investments in burying power lines, reinforced poles and tree management. Explore on-site power generation and storage to reduce dependency on the electrical grid.
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