Emergency Preparedness

Stay informed during an emergency

During and following any emergency, it's essential to monitor radio, television and online media for information from local authorities.

Information on staying safe during the emergency and advice on recovering from the emergency can be found at the following sources:

• 211 is free to call, multilingual, confidential and available 24/7. In addition to connecting citizens with services, 211 provides residents with information on emergencies occurring within the community. If you have questions about an emergency, call 2-1-1.
• Ontario 511 provides road closures, conditions, and construction information through an interactive map on its website or by calling 5-1-1
• Environment Canada is Ontario's official source of weather watches, warnings, and alerts
• Alert Ready is Canada's emergency alerting system. It provides wireless emergency alerts on compatible devices
• Alertable is used to send alerts about significant local emergencies
• Niagara Peninsula Conservation Authority issues flood information, warnings and status for Niagara

Radio and television

Portable radios may not be commonly used anymore, but receiving information is crucial during any crisis. The ability to tune in to emergency radio broadcasts via a portable AM/FM radio receiver could be essential.

Like flashlights, emergency radios are available with battery, solar, or wind-up power. Remember that main electricity may not be available, and you may not be able to access the internet and other services that we may take for granted.

During an emergency, listen to your local radio or television station for information and instructions:

• CKTB 610
• YourTV Cable 10

Social media

If internet and cellular services remain available, follow verified social media sites as directed by local authorities for immediate updates.

X

• @NiagaraRegion on X
• @NiagRegPolice on X
• @NiagaraFalls on X

Facebook

City of Niagara Falls Canada

We're using the Alertable app to send alerts about significant local emergencies. 

Visit the Alertable webpage to learn more.

Shelter-in-place

You may be instructed to shelter-in-place if a threat to your safety exists outside. This means you must remain inside your home, office or other building and take actions to protect yourself there.

General shelter-in-place

• Go inside and remain inside your home, office, school or other building
• Follow instructions from local authorities
• If possible, stay in an interior room away from windows and doors
• Remain inside until emergency officials advise it's safe

Shelter-in-place due to an air quality threat, such as smoke from a fire

• Go inside and remain inside your home, office, school or other building
• Follow instructions from local authorities, close and lock all windows and exterior doors
• Turn off all fans, heating and air conditioning systems to avoid drawing in outside air
• Get your emergency kit, including a radio
• Go to an interior room without windows, preferably above ground level. In the case of a chemical threat, an above-ground location is preferable because some chemicals are heavier than air and may seep into basements even if the windows are closed. Listen to instructions from local authorities
• If no interior room is available, stay away from windows and outside doors.
• If you have a fireplace, close the damper
• Use duct tape or wet cloths to seal cracks around doors, windows and vents

Shelter-in-place due to a tornado or other weather-related event except for flooding

• Go inside and remain inside your home, office, school or other building
• Go to the basement or an interior room on the lowest level
• Stay away from windows and exterior doors
• If possible, avoid parts of the building that could have something fall on them, such as overhanging branches
• If possible, cover your head with something
• Don't leave until local authorities have advised it's safe or the weather warning has been lifted for your area

Evacuation

In some emergencies, it may be safer for you to leave your home and neighbourhood. Authorities won't ask you to leave your home unless they believe you're in danger.

If you're ordered to evacuate:

• Follow instructions from authorities
• Take your emergency kit, vital medications, wallet and personal identification for each family member
• Bring your pets
• Bring a cell phone and charger if you have one. Only use it as necessary to preserve the battery life
• Shut off water and electricity if instructed to do so by emergency officials
• Shut off natural gas only if instructed to do so by emergency officials. The gas company must reconnect it. In a major emergency, it could take weeks for a professional to reconnect it.
• If possible, leave a note in a visible location telling others when you left and where you're going
• If you have time, notify your out-of-town contact. Tell them where you're going and when you expect to arrive. Once you're safe, let them know. Tell them if any family members have become separated
• Lock and secure your home.
• Once you have taken care of yourself and your family, if possible, check to see if there are neighbours whom you can assist
• Use travel routes specified by local authorities since other routes may be unsafe. Pay attention to information on road closures
• Register with a local reception centre/evacuation centre even if you'll be staying elsewhere
• Don't return home until authorities advise it is safe

Preparing for an emergency is essential and something the whole family can do. By taking a few simple steps, you can become better prepared to face various emergencies and minimize the impact on yourself and your family.

Make sure everyone in your family knows what to do before, during and after an emergency. Meet as a family to develop your plan and put together an emergency kit. If you live alone, develop a plan and talk with neighbours and friends about your plan. Please see the guide to help you become better prepared.

• Niagara Falls 72 Hour Emergency Preparedness Guide