Emergency Preparedness - Tornadoes and High Winds

Ontario experiences an average of 12 tornadoes each year, and the Township of Lake of Bays, like other areas in the province, is also susceptible to the significant and dangerous effects of these storms.

The best way to protect yourself and your family is to be prepared.

Before a Tornado:

• Follow Environment Canada's active alerts, weather channels, and local media to stay informed about changing weather conditions.
• Sign up for the Township’s VoyentAlert! app, which will send you emergency notifications specific to your area.
• Prepare your emergency kit with enough supplies to last 72 hours.
• Create an emergency plan with a designated shelter area for high-wind events, such as a basement or the centre of an interior room on the lowest floor, away from windows and outside walls.
• Secure or store loose outdoor items such as propane tanks, patio furniture, and tools.
• Remove dead trees and branches that could fall and cause damage.

During a Tornado:

• If a Tornado Watch turns into a Tornado Warning, seek shelter immediately in the nearest sturdy building. Do not wait until you see the tornado.
• If no shelter is available, lie flat in a nearby ditch or depression and cover your head with your hands. Be cautious of flooding and avoid overpasses and bridges, seeking a low, flat location instead.
• Watch out for flying debris, which causes most tornado-related injuries and fatalities.

For more information and resources for emergency preparedness, tornadoes, and keeping your family safe, visit the following links:

• Environment Canada Weather Alerts
• VoyentAlert! App
• Province of Ontario – Tornadoes
• The Weather Network