Severe weather: prepare for hail, wind and heavy rain

Prepare before a storm, shelter safely during alerts and document property damage before cleanup, while keeping insurance and disaster assistance distinct.

Adapted from a guide first written for Quebec readers: passages specific to Quebec were removed. Rules in your province may differ.

Follow Environment and Climate Change Canada alerts and municipal instructions. Before storm season, secure outdoor objects, clear drains where safe, know how to shut off utilities and keep insurance and property records accessible.

During a warning

• Take shelter in a sturdy building and move away from windows during hail or damaging wind.
• Do not walk or drive through floodwater; turn around if a road is covered.
• Avoid underpasses, low-lying areas and downed power lines.
• Use battery-powered information sources if the power fails.

After the storm

Stay out of damaged buildings and flooded areas if there may be electrical or structural hazards. Once safe, photograph damage from several angles before moving or discarding items. Take reasonable steps to prevent further damage, keep receipts, and contact your insurer promptly to ask what evidence and repairs are required.

Insurance versus public assistance

Insurance coverage depends on the policy, cause of loss, exclusions and deductible. Government disaster assistance is a separate program and may only be available after a disaster is formally recognized; it is not a replacement for insurance. Ask your municipality or regional civil-security organization about a recognized event and keep written records of every contact.

Canadian weather alerts · Prepare for hail · Version française →

Sources and limits

Sources: Government of Canada severe-weather alerts and hail preparedness; consult your insurer and municipal emergency notices for the event-specific process.

General information based on federal and national rules; provincial rules may differ. Confirm with the official body before acting.