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Flooding

Note: This section of the website is dedicated to basement flooding and protection options. For information on emergency preparedness and flooding, please visit our emergency planning page ​and associated links there.

Floods are unpredictable and destructive, and they can happen in regions that have never seen rain.

Apart from the physical damage to property, experiencing a flood can be an extremely emotional time. If you are not prepared for the possibility of a flood, recovery can be slow, stressful and costly.

A few hours spent making your home secure, preparing an emergency kit and flood plan can help you to survive the affects of a flood.

You need to:

  • Understand the flood risk to your area.
  • Prepare your home and property.
  • Respond when water comes.
  • Recover after a flood.
Basement flooding
  1. If there is water in your basement, shut off the power.
  2. Once power is shut off, remove the water. This may require the assistance of a wet basement contractor and or restoration company.
  3. Call your home insurance company.
  4. Contact the City of Weyburn to report basement flooding. The City will inspect the municipal sewer system to ensure it is functioning as designed. Call (306) 848-3290.
  5. Contact a plumber or wet basement company. They will be able to give insight to the cause of the flooding.
Yard flooding
It is normal to have some water on your property during a rain or snow melt event. This water is typically referred to as stormwater. The most important thing is to ensure water isn’t coming into your basement.  Standing water on your own property can occur for several different reasons, soil type, lot grading, time of year, intensity of the rain event and any changes that have occurred on the property that have reduced green space.

Maintaining lot drainage

Lot grading helps ensure that rain and snow melt flow away your home, and other buildings on your lot. Proper lot grading can prevent ponding of stormwater and reduce the likelihood of wet depressions, damp basements, damp yards and disputes between you and your neighbours.

Improving yard drainage:

  • Restore lot grading.
  • Install a rain garden.
  • Install a french drain or soak away pits.
  • Contact a drainage contractor to help with drainage issues.
Preparing your property
  • Know where your property is located in relation to flood warning areas
  • Check your lot is properly graded and that roof and eaves are draining properly in heavy rain
  • Move valuables that may be subject to flooding to upper levels
  • Consider installing a sump pump and zero reverse flow values in basement flood drains
  • Consider buying a portable generator and pump
  • Consult your respective utility companies for instructions on how to safely shut off and protect your furnaces and other household equipment and for the necessary steps to take before restarting
What you should do after a flood
  • Listen for news reports to learn whether the water supply is safe to drink. Public Health will release Boil Water Advisories as necessary.
  • Avoid floodwaters – it may be contaminated or electrically charged from downed power lines. 
  • Clean and disinfect everything that got wet. Mud left from floodwater can contain sewage and chemicals.
  • Do not turn on electrical switches or wet electrical equipment unless approved by an electrician.
  • To avoid a health hazard from eating food contaminated with flood waters, or left in an unplugged fridge – if in doubt, throw it out. Contamination can spoil foods and medicines, making them dangerous to consume.
  • Contact your insurance and utility companies.  
Catch basins
Stormwater is collected by catch basins and drains. Blockage from debris such as litter, leaves, dirt, and grass are often the cause of street flooding.

When chemicals, oils and waste are disposed  down a catch basin, it can harm our rivers and creeks.

How you can help

  • If the catch basin is in your yard, ensure water can flow towards the catch basin and it has not been blocked.
  • Do not pour anything down the catch basin.
  • Do not put pet and yard waste down a catch basin.
  • Minimize the use of fertilizers and pesticides on your lawn or garden.
  • Recycle and safely dispose of hazardous waste such as used oil, paint, paint thinners, and batteries.
  • Use eco-friendly salt alternatives for melting ice and snow on your property.
  • Do not release unwanted household fish, game fish, or aquarium pets into catch basins or ponds.
  • Drain pools and hot tubs only after they are free of chemicals and salt.
  • Use a commercial car wash or wash your car on a grassy area of your property.
  • Check that your vehicle is not leaking fluids.

If, after a rainfall, you experience that water is not draining properly from roadways, please call Public Works at (306) 848-3290.