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Lorena Smalley

The Government of Alberta’s Be Prepared initiative offers excellent tools to help you stay safe during emergencies. We are sharing a summary of important from their resources and we hope you will take the time to visit BePrepared.ca for full resources and printable guides available to you.

Be Prepared – Severe Storms 

  • Thunderstorms can happen suddenly and are potentially deadly electrical storms, whether or not there is a severe weather warning in effect.
  • Severe weather can bring damaging conditions such as strong winds, hail, lightning, heavy rain and tornadoes.
  • A series of thunderstorms can last for several hours.
  • Severe thunderstorms or heavy winds cause the most damage in Alberta, not tornadoes.
  • Be ready and know what to do!

🔗 For more details: Visit BePrepared.ca – Thunderstorms

Before a Thunderstorm

  • Prepare an emergency kit and household plan. Include medications, a flashlight, water, and battery-powered radio.
  • Check the weather forecast, the WeatherCAN app or local radio for alerts.
  • Secure outdoor items like patio furniture, umbrellas, and garbage bins.
  • Unplug electronics to avoid damage from lightning surges.
  • Trim trees and clear drains to reduce storm damage.

During a Thunderstorm

  • Go indoors immediately. Avoid trees, open spaces, and tall objects.
  •  Stay away from windows, metal pipes, and running water.
  •  Use a battery-powered flashlight (not candles or wired electronics).
  •  If driving, pull over away from trees and power lines.
  •  If outdoors, seek shelter in a building or a vehicle.

After the Storm

  • Stay inside for 30 minutes after the last thunder.
  •  Keep at least 10 metres away from downed power lines or anything touching them.
  •  Watch for flooding or power outages and follow official updates.

Heavy Rainfall

  • Can lead to flooding, especially if the ground is frozen or already wet.
  • A warning is issued if 50 mm of rain or more is expected within one hour.

What to do

  • Check home drainage and repair weak spots around your foundation.
  • Ensure you have a working sump pump.
  • Avoid low areas like underpasses and ditches while outside.
  • Stay away from water near electrical lines or wires.

General Emergency Preparedness Tips

Be ready for any emergency by planning ahead. Click on the headings below to explore each resource:

ADDITIONAL RESOURCES