Preparing for an Emergency

Some emergencies are more likely to happen in Belleville, such as flooding, power outages, severe weather, and health emergencies.

• Learn what emergencies could affect your area
• Talk with your household about what to do
• Use this information to make your emergency plan and kit

Getting reliable information helps you make safe decisions.

• Sign up for Belleville Alerts to receive updates from the City of Belleville
• Follow the City and local agencies on social media
• Listen to local radio or TV for emergency updates

An emergency plan helps everyone know what to do. Your plan should include:

• How to leave your home safely
• Two meeting places (one close to home, one outside your neighbourhood)
• Emergency phone numbers, including someone who lives outside your area
• How you will contact each other if you are apart
• Plans for pets
• Who is responsible for what

Practice your plan twice a year. Keep a copy in an easy-to-find place and save a digital copy if possible.

You may not have access to power, water, or stores after an emergency. Your kit should support your household for at least 72 hours. Emergency kit basics inlcude:

• Water (three litres per person per day)
• Non-perishable food
• Manual can opener
• Flashlight and extra batteries or hand-crank flashlight
• Battery or hand-crank radio
• Phone charger or power bank
• First-aid kit
• Emergency contact list
• Copies of important documents
• Cash (small bills)
• Personal hygiene items
• Emergency blanket

Add items your household needs, such as medications, glasses, baby supplies, or mobility aids.

Keep a small emergency kit in your vehicle which includes:

• Food and water
• Flashlight
• Emergency blanket
• First-aid kit
• Phone charger
• Reflective vest
• Small shovel (in winter)
• Road map

Pets need emergency plans too. Pet emergency kits should include:

• Food and water for 72 hours
• Bowls and can opener
• Medications and medical records
• Leash, collar, and carrier or crate
• A recent photo of your pet
• List of pet-friendly places to stay

Make sure your pet has proper identification, such as a microchip or ID tag with a current phone number.

You may be told to stay indoors for safety. If this happens:

• Stay inside in a safe room
• Close windows and doors
• Turn off heating or air conditioning if told to do so
• Keep your emergency kit nearby
• Bring pets with you

Some emergencies may require you to leave your home. If you need to evacuate:

• Follow directions from emergency officials
• Take your emergency kit and pets
• Let your emergency contact know where you are going
• Turn off appliances before leaving (except your fridge or freezer)

• Check for injuries, including pets
• Check on neighbours who may need help
• Listen for updates and instructions
• Check your home for damage
• Contact your insurance provider if needed
• Replace items used from your emergency kit

Only return when officials say it is safe. When you do return:

• Do not enter your home if it is unsafe
• Look for damage and take photos
• Check utilities carefully
• Keep receipts for clean-up costs

Financial help may be available through the Disaster Recovery Assistance for Ontarians program after eligible events.

Flooding can happen at any time of year due to heavy rain, snow melt, ice jams or high water levels.

What to do:

• Know if you live or work in a flood-prone area
• Have an emergency plan and kit ready
• Stay informed through Quinte Conservation's flooding alerts, local news and City updates
• Move valuables to higher floors if flooding is expected
• Sandbag your home to minimize property damage
• Be ready to evacuate on short notice
• Never walk, swim, or drive through flood water and keep children and pets away
• Evacuate immediately if told to do so
• Do not eat food that has come in contact with flood waters
• Do not use flooded appliances, electrical outlets, switch boxes or fuse breaker panels until they have been checked by a qualified electrician

Power outages can happen at any time and may last for several hours or days.

What to do:

• Keep an emergency kit with flashlights and extra batteries
• Keep fridge and freezer doors closed to protect food
• Use generators outdoors only, away from windows and doors
• Never use gas appliances to heat your home
• Unplug electronics to prevent damage
• Use candles carefully and never leave them unattended
• Make sure carbon monoxide detectors work and have backup batteries

A pandemic happens when an infectious disease spreads widely.

What to do:

• Wash your hands often
• Keep distance from others when possible
• Cover coughs and sneezes
• Avoid contact with people who are sick
• Stay home if you feel unwell
• Follow advice from public health officials

Winter storms can include heavy snow, freezing rain, blizzards, and extreme cold.

What to do:

• Stay home during severe weather if possible
• Dress in warm, waterproof and windproof layers
• Check road and weather conditions before travelling
• Keep a winter emergency kit in your vehicle

Extreme heat can be dangerous, especially for older adults, children, outdoor workers and pets.

What to do:

• Limit time outdoors during hot weather
• Avoid strenuous activities
• Drink plenty of water
• Wear light, loose-fitting clothing
• Never leave people or pets in a parked car
• Watch for signs of heat illness
• Check on vulnerable family members and neighbours
• Make sure pets have water and shade

Thunderstorms may include lightning, heavy rain, hail and strong winds.

What to do:

If you are outdoors:

• Avoid water, high ground, power lines and lone trees
• Take shelter in a sturdy building if possible
• If no shelter is available, move to a low area and stay low

If you are indoors:

• Stay away from windows and glass doors
• Be ready to shelter in a basement or interior room
• Avoid using running water
• Wait at least 30 minutes after the storm ends before going outside

• Belleville Police Service
• Hastings-Quinte Paramedic Services
• Hastings County Emergency Management
• Quinte Conservation

• Quinte Conservation – Sandbagging Instructions
• Elexicon Energy – Safety at Home
• Hydro One – Storm Safety Tips
• Emergency Management Ontario
• Public Safety Canada
• GetPrepared.ca
• Canadian Red Cross