Flooding in the Watershed

Understanding your flood risk is the first step in safeguarding your home.

Through floodplain mapping, flood studies and historical information, NVCA has determined the following communities are most at risk of flooding in the Nottawasaga Watershed: Angus, Stayner, Creemore, Alliston, Beeton, Wasaga Beach and Collingwood.

But floods can happen when you’re least expecting it. Some areas may not have flooded for decades, but with the right combination of heavy or prolonged rain, snow melt, elevated stream flow, ice/debris jams, soil moisture and other factors, properties and lives are suddenly at risk.

It is crucial to be prepared and have the right information in order to respond to a flood.

To find out if you are at risk of flooding, contact NVCA at 705-424-1479 or flood@nvca.on.ca

Floo​d Insurance

Do you have questions about flood insurance? Contact your insurance representative or visit Insurance Bureau of Canada for more information​.

The responsibility of flooding and flood emergency planning is shared by conservation authorities, municipalities, the Province of Ontario and residents.

Understanding the roles of the agencies responsible for flooding can guide you to get the right help and information during an emergency.

Conservation authorities have several areas of responsibility for:

1. Operate a flood forecasting system and monitor watershed and weather conditions
2. Issue Watershed Conditions Statement, Flood Watch and Flood Warning bulletins to municipalities and other appropriate agencies to advise them of potential flooding
3. Operate conservation authority owned flood control structures to reduce the effects of flooding
4. Provide advice to municipalities to preventing or reducing the effects of flooding.
5. Maintain communications with municipalities and the Ministry of Natural Resources and Forestry during a flood.

Municipalities have the primary organizations to respond to flooding and flood emergencies.

They are responsible also for the welfare of residents and protection of property during a flood.

Upon receiving a Watershed Conditions Statement, Flood Watch or Flood Warning from NVCA, municipalities shall:

1. Notify appropriate municipal officials, departments and agencies in accordance with their municipal emergency plan.
2. Determine the appropriate response to a flood threat and deploy municipal resources to protect life and property.
3. If required, declare a flood emergency and implement their Emergency Procedures Plan.
4. Request provincial assistance under the Emergency Management & Civil Protection Act (2006) if municipal resources are inadequate to respond to the emergency.
5. Maintain liaison with conservation authority flood coordinators.

Through the Surface Water Monitoring Centre, the Ontario Ministry of Natural Resources and Forestry (MNRF):

1. Operates and maintain a Provincial Warning System to alert conservation authorities of potential meteorological events that could create a flood hazard.
2. Maintains communications with MNRF’s district offices regarding the status of flood situations

Residents living or working in floodplains are responsible for:

1. Know what to do before, during, and after a flood.
2. Make an emergency plan, so that everyone knows what to do, and where to go in case of an emergency.
3. Prepare an emergency kit for your family and/or business.
4. Plan to be self-sufficient for at least 72 hours during a flood or any emergency.

​During a flood, NVCA tracks weather forecasts, measure how full the river is, patrol the flood are and share this information with municipalities to help them determine the right approach during an emergency.

Sign up for NVCA’s flood alerts here.

You can also Check Environment Canada’s public weather alerts, and contact your municipality for information.