Protect your health in case of flooding

To avoid health risks during and after flooding, adopt the preventive measures indicated on this page.

If water enters the basement, do not touch anything. Immediately contact Hydro-Québec at 1-800-790-2424 to turn off the power.

If the flood cannot be prevented but water has not yet started coming into the basement, cut the power to prevent any risk of electric shock or fire by doing the following:

• Make sure you aren’t standing on a wet floor or leaning on anything made of metal;
• Flip the main breaker off.

Close the gas supply, the valves of propane cylinders and tanks, and the outlet valve of the fuel oil tank. Please refer to the manufacturer's or service provider's instructions.

If you notice the smell of gas or your natural gas equipment is damaged, immediately contact your natural gas distributor.

Never use fuel-burning appliances such as space heaters, barbecues, or camping stoves indoors. They can release carbon monoxide, a toxic, odourless, colourless, potentially fatal gas.

If you use a generator, put it outside in a well ventilated place far from doors and windows.

Never obstruct the air inlets and outlets of your fuel-burning appliances.

Buy battery-powered carbon monoxide detectors.

If your carbon monoxide detector goes off or you experience poisoning symptoms such as a headache, nausea, fatigue, vomiting, or dizziness:

• leave the site and call 911;
• wait until the fire safety service authorizes you to go inside, even for a few minutes.

Find out more about how to protect yourself when you use fuel-burning appliances.

Mould may appear once water has receded. Significant mould can cause health problems.

Take the following precautions to limit exposure to mould:

• Locate and eliminate mould on surfaces and materials exposed to floodwater.
• Wear safety goggles, rubber gloves, and a dust mask during cleaning operations.
• Avoid cleaning when children and asthmatic or allergic individuals are in the room.
• Thoroughly ventilate the premises before allowing your loved ones to return to the site.

Consult the following pages for more details.

To avoid food poisoning, sort and select food that has been in contact with floodwater.

Following a power outage of more than six hours, verify the quality of your food before consuming it.

Moreover, do not consume medications that must be refrigerated after a power outage. Return them to the drugstore.

Take precautions before consuming or using your water depending on whether it comes from a distribution network or a well.

Experiencing a disaster such as flooding can cause unusual physical, emotional, and behavioural reactions. Pay attention to your reactions and those of your loved ones:

• anxiety, distress, or frequent crying;
• a lack of interest or energy;
• aggressiveness;
• difficulty in concentrating or confusion;
• increased alcohol or drug consumption.

Psychosocial support is available to you. This service is free of charge and confidential.

Help your children feel safe by taking simple, comforting actions.

To obtain additional information on post-disaster reactions and the assistance available, please consult the Getting better following a disaster page.