Dam failure

Dams have several functions:

Regulate the flow of rivers
Protect shoreline residents from floods
Ensure minimum flow during droughts
Generate electricity
Protect aquatic fauna and flora

Accidents or natural disasters (e.g., floods, earthquakes, landslides) can cause a dam failure, resulting in a sudden rise in the water level. In the event of a total failure, torrents of water and mud may form, carrying hazardous debris.

What to do before

If your home is located near a dam, ask your municipality about

the flood-risk area, to know if your home is located in the area
the procedures to be followed in the event of a dam failure
the manner in which the residents concerned would be warned of such a failure
assembly points and roads to be used in the event of an evacuation

Keep yourself informed of water levels and flow rates of the watercourses in your area in order to be prepared during periods of high flood hazard (e.g., thawing or heavy rain).

Learn about the precautions to take and the safety rules to follow in the event of a dam failure, as they are similar to those that apply to a flood hazard.

In an emergency or disaster, you are the first person responsible for your safety (in French only), your family's safety, and the safeguard of your property. When disaster strikes, however, municipalities have a duty to help the people affected and take the necessary action.

When the scope of an event is beyond the capacity of a municipality, the Governement of Québec steps in (in French only) with its own resources to help get things back to normal, per the provisions of the Québec national civil protection plan.

What to do during

Remain sheltered, monitor the evolution of the situation and obey instructions issued by official sources of information (e.g., your municipality, the Gouvernement du Québec).

Follow your municipality and Urgence Québec social media feeds and consult local media outlets for information about the current situation and steps to be taken.

Leave your home if you are in danger or at the request of the authorities. If you are unsure where to go, contact your municipality. For more details, consult the government’s Evacuate your home page.

What to do after

If the authorities allow it and it’s safe to do so, you can return to your home. Go back during the day so that problems and hazards will be easier to see.

Check whether the structure of your home is safe. Damage caused by water, mud, flood debris or the shock wave stemming from the dam failure can be significant.

Make a list of the damage and take pictures or video as documentation. Notify your municipality, insurance company and mortgage holder. Keep all your receipts and proofs of purchase for damaged property in case you need them for claims.

If extensive work must be carried out before you can return to your home, secure the premises to keep away looters and curious bystanders:

Lock the doors
Barricade the windows
Cover damaged areas

If your home was flooded, consult the measures to take after a flood.

Keep an eye on how you and your loved ones are responding. Watch for the following:

Anxiety, distress or frequent crying
Apathy or lack of energy
Aggressiveness
Difficulty concentrating or confusion
Increased use of alcohol or drugs

Help is available. Professional social and psychological workers are available to provide support and counselling or refer you to the resources you or your loved ones need. Call Info-Social by dialling 811 and selecting option 2 to talk to one of them. It’s free, confidential and available 24 hours a day, 7 days a week.

For more information on what happens to people after a disaster and how to get help, see the Getting better following a disaster webpage.

Dam failure

On this page:

What to do before

What to do during

What to do after

See also