City of Gaspé - A city at the heart of discovery A city at the heart of discovery

IN THE EVENT OF A FLOOD ALERT:

• Store high, or go upstairs, objects that are in the basement or on the ground floor.
• Protect from chemicals or harmful substances such as insecticides and used oil residues, ensuring that they remain out of the reach of children.
• Block the drain lines in the basement if there is no backdraft valve.
• Plug the drain in the basement.

ELECTRICITY AND NATURAL GAS

• Turn off gas and electricity. If the water has started to rise, make sure you have your feet on a dry surface and use a wooden stick to shut off the power. If water begins to invade your home, do not touch anything and immediately contact Hydro-Québec at 1 800 790-2424 to interrupt the electricity.
• Close the main gas entrance and turn off the taps on the propane cylinders and propane tanks.
• Close the tap which is located at the outlet of the oil tank.

OUTSIDE

• Remove or fix all the goods which move easily on your ground in order to avoid that they are projected or carried away.
• If you have sandbags, install a breakwater with sandbags

ASK

• Follow the situation on the radio or on the Internet. Observe the safety instructions given. The City of Gaspà © will transmit daily information to the media and will put this information on the municipality's website.

ELECTRICITY AND NATURAL GAS

• If you smell gas or the natural gas equipment is visibly broken, contact your natural gas distributor's emergency service.
• If you use a generator, observe the rules of installation and use thereof.

VACATION AND TRAVEL

• Vacate your home if the water level requires it or if the authorities ask you to. Pack some essential items like warm clothes and, if it rains, raincoats.
• Avoid traveling on foot or by vehicle on flooded roads. Leave the vehicle if the engine stalls.
• Check the condition of the roads before you move, on the site www.quebec511.infoor by phone at 511.
• Notify the municipal authorities of the place where they can reach you if you are not going to a housing center of the municipality.

COMMUNICATIONS

• Keep in touch with your loved ones by brief telephone conversations so as not to clutter up the telephone networks.
• Privilege text messages, emails and social networks while making sure to save the battery charge on your mobile device.

WHEN WATER IS REMOVED:

• If the authorities allow it and your security is not compromised, return to your home, preferably during the day, as it is easier to see problems and dangers. When you arrive, take photos to document the damage to your home.

ELECTRICITY

• Consult an electrician before reconnecting electricity.
• Consult a specialist before restarting the heating devices.

WATER

• Treat water from an individual well as not potable, even if it appears clear and odorless. Until you know if the well water is up to standard, boil it well for one minute before drinking it or use bottled water.
• Consider drinking water from a water system as potable, unless otherwise advised by the municipal authorities responsible for the water system. In case of doubt as to the color, smell or taste of the water, contact the municipal authorities before consuming it.

CLEANING

• Clean the rooms contaminated by the flood: remove the water and throw away all absorbent materials, such as plasterboard, mineral wool, carpets, pressed wood, etc.
• Throw away all food and medicine that has come into contact with water. Make sure the food is safe before eating it. 
• Sterilize contaminated kitchen items with boiling water.
• Pay attention to the presence of mold (musty, earthy or alcoholic smells, green or black stains on the floor or walls) which can cause health problems. If you experience health problems, immediately consult a doctor or ask for psychosocial help, particularly from a CLSC in your area.

PLUMBING

• Before using your plumbing fixtures, make sure that the municipal drainage system or your septic tank are functional.
• Clean or replace aerators, shower heads and their flexible hoses.
• Check and clean, if necessary, the outlets of sanitary appliances and make sure they are working properly (including the inside of the toilet tank and the overflow of sinks and baths).
• Clean the holding tanks and check the operation of the lift pumps.
• Locate, check and clean the floor drains and the backflow preventers.
• Have the backflow preventers inspected, if necessary, by a certified verifier.
• Drain, clean, and replace the water softener filters as needed.  

LAND

• Never touch the wires and electrical installations on the ground. Communicate with Hydro-Québec, at 1-800-790-2424, if you see a power line on the ground.
• Carefully remove all debris from your property
• Manage your residual materials respecting the prescribed standards.

FLOODED VEHICLES

• In no case put back into circulation a flooded road vehicle, including a motorcycle or recreational vehicle (motorhome, trailer).  

INSURANCE

• Make an inventory of water damage to your property, with photos or videos to support it. Inform your municipality and your insurer. Keep all receipts and proof of purchase of damaged goods for your claims.

You are primarily responsible for your safety!

In an emergency or disaster situation, it is up to you to take the first steps which will be most decisive in ensuring your own safety, that of your family and the safeguarding of your property.

What can you do?

• Insure your property properly.
• Prepare your family emergency plan .
• Have essential items with you at all times to survive for the first 3 days of an emergency or to take with you in the event of an evacuation.
• Find out, from your municipality or on the Internet, about disaster risks in your locality and the measures to take to protect yourself

What is your social responsibility?

• Intervene in public places, your work or your leisure to help people around you while waiting for reinforcement 
• Get involved as a volunteer with your municipality which must provide for the basic needs of the people most affected by the disaster

Where can I get information on what to do before, during and after a disaster?

• Electronic guide to the Portal of the government of Québec " What to do before, during and after a disaster »
• Prevention advice and actions to take on possible claims

The Town of Gaspé has an up-to-date emergency measures plan which contains the measures to be taken to deal with an emergency or disaster. These measures make it possible to maintain essential services such as:

• rescue and personal safety; 
• safeguarding property; 
• accommodation; 
• water and food supplies; 
• hygiene. 

In addition to these intervention and recovery measures, the municipality generally puts in place measures to prevent disasters or to reduce the consequences. It also includes measures to prepare for dealing with emergencies, such as conducting exercises or training staff.

The City of Gaspé is also keeping this section up to date and will communicate on it alerts or information to citizens in the event of an emergency measure. When it sets up an emergency unit, the City of Gaspé informs the media and citizens at regular intervals so that everyone gets the right information, in collaboration with government authorities.

Each business owner must have a emergency measures plan which takes into account the dangerous consequences that its activities could have on the population. In addition, the company can provide a continuity plan for its operations or its services in the event of an emergency or disaster.

In the event of a major disaster, the resources of the government of Quebec at the regional and provincial levels can assist municipalities when their means become insufficient.

Depending on the extent of the disaster, one or the other or both of the following organizations coordinate government resources according to what has been provided, as the case may be, in the regional civil protection plan or in the National civil security plan.

• Regional civil security organization (ORSC)
• Civil Protection Organization of Quebec (OSCQ)

The effectiveness of government intervention in disaster situations rests on three coordination mechanisms.

The involvement of the federal government

Le federal government responds to any request for assistance submitted by the Government of Quebec, when the latter needs additional resources to respond to an emergency or disaster situation.