But there are some lesser-known tips that experts swear by — take note, trampoline owners. Hurricane Fiona is expected to reach Atlantic Canada late Friday and Saturday as it transitions into a post-tropical storm, bringing strong winds, heavy rain and storm surges that could lead to power outages and flooding. “We’re certainly preparing for the worst and hoping for the best,” said Amanda Dean, Insurance Bureau of Canada’s vice-president for the Atlantic region. Dean said the industry is bracing for a spike in claims after a storm like Fiona, and the bureau’s member firms see two common types of claims: wind damage from flying debris and water damage from issues such as creating sewer backup or rain entering the house. the roof.
Gather important documents
Dean said to mitigate flood damage, it’s smart to get valuables out of your basement and keep important documents, including home and auto insurance policies, together in a safe place. “We don’t know what’s going to happen after an event like this blows through our area, so there could be widespread power outages,” Dean said. “Gathering your important documents before the storm, having everything in one place you can get to if it’s night and you need to leave your home for any reason.” Hurricane Maria in 2011 sent this trampoline soaring before landing in a neighbor’s tree in Upper Island Cove, NL Maria was downgraded to a post-tropical cyclone hours after making landfall in Newfoundland. (courtesy of Kim Newman) He also said it’s important to check for unsafe tree limbs near your home or vehicle and to bring outside items like trash cans and patio furniture indoors. But there’s one thing people often don’t think to bring inside. “Every time we get a hurricane in the area, we always get stories about trampolines, and they’re always the weirdest stories,” he said. “Even if a trampoline is tied up in the backyard, it can go airborne because a lot of air can gather underneath and lift it up.” If wind, rain or flood damage occurs, Dean said it’s important to document everything with photos or video and detailed notes. A record rainfall on Thanksgiving Day 2016 brought a deluge of water that flooded hundreds of homes and businesses in Cape Breton. (Joan Weeks/CBC) Halifax Fire and Emergency is also preparing for a high volume of calls as a result of the upcoming storm. Pat Kline, the district’s acting chief, said they often get calls during storms from people trying to heat or light their homes without power. He said people should never use barbecues or generators in their homes, and things like space heaters and candles can be dangerous if used improperly. “Be incredibly careful with candles. If you use them for lighting, don’t leave them near windows,” Kline said. “A good spot for a candle is on a cookie sheet on your hearth, for light and heat if needed.” WATCHES | Halifax Fire on how to prepare for Hurricane Fiona
Halifax is preparing for Hurricane Fiona
Halifax Regional Fire and Emergency Manager Erica Fleck gives an update on how Atlantic Canadians are preparing as Hurricane Fiona strengthens into a Category 4 hurricane headed for the Maritimes.
Generator safety
Chris McSweeney, general manager of Bay Equipment Rentals in Tantallon, NS, said he’s already seeing more demand for generator and pump rentals and expects to sell out once the storm hits. “Things are already booked, so the sooner the better for sure,” McSweeney said. “In the past we’ve had days … where we had absolutely nothing left.” Halifax Fire and Emergency says it’s important to be aware of safety issues when using generators. (Brian MacKay/CBC) Kline said if people are using a generator, they should be careful to avoid common safety issues. Generators emit deadly carbon monoxide, so they should be six meters away from a house and away from open windows or ventilation that could let the gas into the house. Carbon monoxide “is a very insidious type of gas because it doesn’t have any smell to it, so you don’t know it’s in your house,” Kline said. He also said not to use generators in a garage attached to your home or in a shed that isn’t well ventilated. Gasoline must be stored in a well-ventilated area in an approved container and not poured into a generator when hot. For people who have a generator plugged into their home, Kline said there is a right way to do it. “Make sure they have an electrician properly install a connection in their home so they’re not bringing wiring into their home, which is an electrical hazard,” he said. “It’s also dangerous for the linemen who work on the lines near their home.” People fill up their cars Thursday, Sept. 22, 2022, at a gas station in Halifax. (Anjuli Patil/CBC)
