What to Buy to Prepare for a Flood?
When Toronto's weather takes a severe turn, the thought of flooding can be a major source of anxiety. News of heavy rainfall or rapid spring thaws often leaves homeowners wondering, "Am I truly ready?" Being prepared is the most effective way to protect your family and property, and that preparation begins with a clear, actionable plan focused on acquiring the right supplies.
This guide is designed to be your ultimate shopping list, cutting through the confusion and telling you exactly what you need to buy. We've organized everything into clear categories, from basic survival essentials and home-defence gear to the modern tech that can keep you safe and connected. Think of this as your step-by-step plan to turn anxiety into action.
Category 1: Essential Survival Supplies (Your 72-Hour Kit)
Your first and most important shopping trip should be for the supplies needed to keep your family safe and self-sufficient for at least 72 hours. This is the standard recommended by Public Safety Canada because it can often take that long for emergency services to reach everyone after a major event. These items form your core at-home flood emergency kit checklist.
Water & Food Supplies: The Non-Negotiables
In a flood, tap water can become contaminated. Your access to grocery stores will be cut off. These purchases are about basic survival.
- Bottled Water: This is your top priority. Purchase at least four litres of water per person, per day (two for drinking, two for cooking and sanitation). For a family of four, this means a minimum of 48 litres. Buying two 24-packs of bottled water is an easy way to meet this goal.
- Non-Perishable Food: Your goal is a three-day supply of food that requires no cooking or refrigeration. When you shop, look for canned goods with pull-tabs to avoid needing a can opener. Excellent items to buy include canned stews, fish, and vegetables; protein and granola bars; peanut butter; dried fruit; nuts; and crackers.
- A Reliable Manual Can Opener: Do not overlook this. Buy a sturdy, gear-driven manual can opener. It’s a small purchase that becomes priceless when the power is out.
- Pet Food and Extra Water: Your pets are part of the family. Add a three-day supply of their specific food and extra water to your shopping cart.
Light, Safety & Communication Gear
When the power goes out, darkness and silence can increase feelings of fear and isolation. These purchases keep you safe and connected.
LED Flashlights: Buy several high-quality LED flashlights. They are bright and their batteries last a long time. It's wise to also purchase a hand-crank flashlight as a guaranteed backup that never needs batteries.
A Large Supply of Extra Batteries: Check the battery sizes for all your devices (flashlights, radio) and buy multiple packs of each. Store them in a dry, accessible place.
A Battery-Powered or Crank Radio: This is your lifeline to the outside world. Buy a dedicated emergency radio, preferably a NOAA Weather Radio with a tone alert, which will automatically activate when an emergency alert is issued for your area. This allows you to receive instructions from officials even if cell service is down.
A Whistle: Buy one for each member of your family. A whistle's high-pitched sound carries much farther than a human voice and requires less energy, making it the best way to signal for help.
First Aid & Hygiene Products
Maintaining health and hygiene is crucial to prevent illness from spreading, especially when water systems are compromised.
- A Complete First-Aid Kit: You can buy a comprehensive pre-made kit or build your own. Your shopping list should include: assorted sizes of adhesive bandages, sterile gauze pads, medical tape, antiseptic wipes, antibiotic ointment, pain relievers, tweezers, and scissors.
- Prescription & Non-prescription Medications: Ensure you have at least a seven-day supply of all essential prescription medications. Also, buy backup supplies of any over-the-counter drugs your family regularly uses.
- A Full Set of Sanitation Supplies: Purchase large bottles of hand sanitizer, disinfectant wipes (for cleaning surfaces), heavy-duty garbage bags with plastic ties, and a small pail with a secure lid that can serve as an emergency toilet.
Category 2: Home Defence & Prevention Gear
These are the items you buy as an investment in protecting your biggest asset: your home. Spending money on these supplies now can prevent tens of thousands of dollars in flood damage later.
- A High-Quality Sump Pump with Battery Backup: If you have a basement in Toronto, this is the most critical defensive purchase you can make. When shopping, don't just buy a standard pump; invest in a model that comes with a dedicated battery backup system. The primary pump is useless during a power outage, which is exactly when you need it most.
- Professional Installation of a Backwater Valve: While not a shelf item, this is a service you buy. A backwater valve is a device installed on your sewer line that acts as a one-way gate, preventing city sewer backups from flowing into your home. This is a must-have for Toronto flood preparedness.
- Modern Flood Barriers: While sandbags are an option, consider buying newer, more convenient alternatives. Water-activated flood barriers are lightweight, easy to store, and expand on contact with water to create a durable barrier for doorways and basement windows.
- Waterproof Sealant and Caulking: On your next trip to the hardware store, buy several tubes of high-quality, waterproof sealant. Use it to seal any visible cracks in your foundation and to reinforce the seals around ground-level windows and doors.
- Cleanup Safety Gear: Buy these items before you need them. Your post-flood shopping list must include heavy-duty rubber boots, waterproof gloves, safety glasses, and N95-rated dust masks to protect you from contaminated water and mould during cleanup.
Category 3: Document Protection & Financial Security
A flood can destroy more than just your home; it can wipe out the critical records you need to rebuild your life. These purchases protect your identity and your financial future.
- A Waterproof and Fireproof Document Bag: Buy a high-quality safe box or portable bag to store your most important original documents. This includes passports, birth certificates, social insurance cards, property deeds, and wills.
- High-Capacity USB Drives: Purchase a few reliable USB drives. Scan every important document you have—including insurance policies, bank statements, and vehicle ownership—and save encrypted digital copies. Keep one drive in your "go-bag" and another off-site.
- Overland Flood Insurance: This is arguably the most important purchase on this entire list. Standard home insurance does not cover damage from overland flooding (e.g., from heavy rainfall or an overflowing river). You must call your insurance provider and specifically ask to buy this additional coverage.
Category 4: Power and Connectivity Supplies
In today's world, a power outage is a communications outage. It disables your sump pump, your fridge, your internet, and your ability to charge your phone. Buying a reliable backup power source has become a core pillar of modern preparedness.
While a small phone power bank is a start, a serious outage requires a more robust solution. A portable power station is the key purchase in this category. Think of it as a safe, silent, fume-free indoor generator. Unlike gas generators, you can use it inside your home to power your most critical devices. When shopping for one, prioritize a unit with enough wattage to handle demanding appliances. For instance, models in the EcoFlow DELTA series are specifically designed for home backup, providing enough power to run a sump pump or refrigerator while keeping all your personal electronics charged. It’s a purchase that provides true energy resilience.
Category 5: Evacuation "Go-Bag" Supplies
If you're forced to leave your home, you'll need a lightweight, portable kit. The best supplies for flood evacuation are those you can carry easily. Buy these items specifically for a "grab-and-go" bag for each family member.
Durable Backpacks: One for each person in your household.
Water Bottles with Built-in Filters: This is a smart purchase that allows you to safely refill your bottle from sources that might otherwise be questionable.
High-Energy, Lightweight Food: Your evacuation food should be calorie-dense and easy to eat on the move. Buy protein bars, granola bars, jerky, and trail mix.
A Dedicated Portable Power Bank: Buy a small but powerful power bank for each bag to ensure everyone can keep their phone charged.
Emergency Mylar Space Blankets: These are inexpensive, incredibly lightweight, and highly effective at retaining body heat if you are exposed to the elements.
Conclusion: Buying Your Peace of Mind
Preparing for a flood can feel like a monumental task, but this shopping list breaks it down into manageable steps. Every item you purchase, from a simple can opener to a powerful home-defence tool, contributes to a robust safety net for your family. This isn't just about buying supplies; it's about making a conscious investment in your own security. By taking these proactive steps, you are transforming anxiety into action, building resilience, and buying what truly matters: peace of mind.