Thunderstorms – Get prepared
Thunderstorms are most common in the late spring and throughout the summer. You can take steps to prepare in advance of thunderstorms.
How to prepare before a thunderstorm
To prepare for a thunderstorm:
- Prepare your emergency kits. 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 specific 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
- Identify safe locations and shelters
- Ensure you know the basics of lightning safety
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
- Thunderstorm Outlooks give you an early heads-up when a thunderstorm is likely to develop, up to 36 hours in advance
- Check if your wireless phone is compatible with Alert Ready, Canada's emergency alerting system
Prepare Your Home
- Use surge protectors to protect appliances and electronics
- Keep trees and shrubs trimmed to make them wind resistant, and remove damaged branches
- Inspect your home for anything that may come loose during high winds, such as your chimney or roof shingles
- Prepare your home for heavy rainfall:
- Clear drains and basins around your home
- Make repairs as necessary
- Ensure you have a working sump pump
- Check for pre-existing damage to the foundation
- Take simple steps in and outside of your home for wet weather property protection
When thunderstorm activity is forecast
Environment and Climate Change Canada will issue a thunderstorm watch when a severe thunderstorm could develop. A thunderstorm warning is issued when there is evidence that a thunderstorm is imminent or occurring. When either is issued, you can take steps to protect yourself and your household should a thunderstorm develop:
- Plan to take shelter at the nearest safe location
- If you count less than 30 seconds between lightning and thunder, seek shelter immediately
- If you are in a boat and there are signs that a storm is coming, or if a thunderstorm watch or warning is issued, head for shore immediately
- Unplug appliances to protect them from power surge
- If strong winds are forecast, secure or put away loose objects such as outdoor furniture and garbage cans
- Put your car in the garage
- Bring animals and livestock to shelter unless there is an immediate risk of flooding
During a thunderstorm
During a thunderstorm, be careful around lightning. It's a million times more powerful than household electrical current. On average, lightning strikes kill 2 to 3 people every year in Canada and injure around 180 people.
- When the thunder roars, go indoors
- Take shelter if strong winds are blowing debris
- Avoid things that conduct electricity, such as metal and water appliances
- Monitor weather forecasts and stay tuned for instructions from officials
- Keep your emergency kit near
- Evacuate if you are instructed by officials
- Ensure you follow the basics of lightning safety
- Ensure you know the warning signs for tornadoes and seek shelter right away if you suspect a tornado or receive a tornado alert
If you are indoors
- Move to a safe place such as the basement or most central room
- Stay away from windows and doors
- Stay away from anything that will conduct electricity such as radiators, stoves, sinks and metal pipes
- Avoid using electrical equipment and wired telephones
- Use battery operated devices such as flashlights
- Do not take a bath, shower or use running water
If you are outdoors
- Go inside right away
- There is no safe place to be outdoors during a thunderstorm
- Buildings and cars can provide safe shelter
- Stay tuned for instructions from officials
- If you have an emergency kit, keep it close by
- If you are at an outdoor event, evacuate if you are instructed by officials
- Stay away from tall objects such as trees and poles
- Avoid being the highest point in an open area
- Learn more about outdoor lightning safety
If you are in a vehicle
- Stay in the vehicle during thunder and lightning
- Do not drive in strong winds or heavy rain that may affect your ability to drive safely
- Pull over in a safe place away from tall objects that may fall when struck by lightning
- Do not park under tall objects that could fall
- Avoid touching metal inside or outside the vehicle
After a thunderstorm
- Stay inside for at least 30 minutes after the last rumble of thunder
- Stay at least 10 m away from any downed power lines
- Do not touch water or any objects in contact with water near a downed power line
- Be aware of secondary hazards including: