Hailstorms – Get prepared

There is potential for hail damage during the summer near the Rockies, including Alberta's Hail Valley, which is located south of Calgary to north of Red Deer and west of Highway 2 into the foothills. Hailstorms can also occur in British Columbia, Saskatchewan, Manitoba and Ontario from May to October. Hailstorms can cause significant damage and injury. It is important to understand this hazard and how to prepare for it.

How to prepare before a hailstorm

• Prepare your emergency kit. Learn more about what items to put in your kit, including quick and easy steps you can take right away
• Make a household emergency plan. Consider the needs of all members of your household, including older adults, children, pets, and anyone with special health needs
• Learn about colour-coded weather alerts and how forecasters use Weather Impact Guides to assign colours for thunderstorm alerts associated with hail

Where to get information

• Stay connected to weather alert services that share weather warnings, watches, advisories and statements:
  • WeatherCAN app provides local weather alert notifications
  • Weather information including public weather alerts across Canada
  • Local radio and television broadcasts will help you stay up to date with the latest local weather information
• Check if your wireless phone is compatible with Alert Ready, Canada's emergency alerting system

Prepare your home

• Park your vehicle in a covered area, or cover your vehicle's windows with blankets or other padding
• Clear your eavestroughs of debris to ensure proper drainage
• Cover outdoor items like barbecues and patio furniture
• Do not store propane tanks indoors
• Use window safety films to help prevent glass from shattering
• Consider installing impact-resistant storm shutters for windows, skylights and doors
• Consider installing impact-resistant roofing on buildings located in areas with moderate to high risk of hailstorms
  • Talk to a roofing specialist to determine the best hail-resistant materials and methods
• Consider installing impact-resilient siding (e.g. not vinyl)
• Make sure your home has working carbon monoxide alarms and smoke detectors with battery backups
• Prepare for possible financial losses from hailstorm:
  • Speak to your insurance agent about your needs
  • Learn about insurance options and review what is covered by your policies

During a hailstorm

Here are simple actions you can take to keep yourself and your family safe:

• Seek shelter in a safe, secure building
• Stay away from windows, doors and skylights
• If you're driving, find a place to safely pull off roadways and protect yourself from shattered glass by facing away from all windows
• If you're caught outdoors with no immediately accessible shelter, crouch down, face away from the wind and protect your head and neck with your hands
• Watch for flooded areas, excessive hail combined with heavy rain can plug storm drains and create localized flooding
• Stay away from trees, towers, metal fences and poles to avoid injury from lightning
• Hailstorms often occur during severe storms. It is important to know what to do during different types of storms:
  • Learn more about what to do during thunderstorms
  • Learn more about what to do during tornados

If power is out because of a hailstorm

Take these measures to protect yourself and your family from carbon monoxide. For more information on the risks of carbon monoxide at home:

• Learn about carbon monoxide poisoning, symptoms and prevention tips
• Prepare for power outages
• Never use outdoor fuel-burning equipment indoors, including portable generators
• Make sure you inspect, maintain and ventilate any fuel-burning equipment, like barbecues and fireplaces
• Operate portable generators at least 6 m (20 feet) from your home or other buildings, including garages and sheds
• Make sure your home has working CO alarms with battery back-up
• Only use portable fuel-burning heaters outdoors, unless they are specifically designed for indoor use
• Stay safe by following manufacturer's instructions for indoor and outdoor equipment
• If you use your vehicle to charge electronics or warm up, do not idle vehicle in a garage, even with the garage door open

After a hailstorm

• Stay alert for potential secondary hazards, including flooding and power outages
• Inspect your vehicle and residence for potential damage
• Document any damage for insurance purposes
• Ensure any hazards, such as broken glass, are cleared safely and quickly