By Kezia Royer-Burkett, Local Journalism Initiative Reporter
As summer storm season begins, the City of Burlington is encouraging residents to take steps now to protect their homes, prepare their families, and stay informed before severe weather strikes. With heavier rainfall and more frequent extreme weather events becoming increasingly common, the city says emergency preparedness, combined with ongoing investments in stormwater infrastructure, can help reduce the risk of flooding and minimize damage to homes and neighbourhoods.
In 2026, Burlington is investing $7.9 million in stormwater projects designed to protect homes, roads, and natural areas from flooding. The investment builds on approximately $90 million the city has committed to stormwater infrastructure improvements since 2015. Municipal officials say these upgrades are part of a broader strategy to improve climate resilience while helping communities adapt to increasingly unpredictable weather.
Mayor Marianne Meed Ward said the city continues to prioritize flood mitigation through infrastructure improvements and long-term planning while encouraging residents to prepare their own properties for severe weather.
“As weather patterns become increasingly unpredictable, we’re investing to be prepared and protect our community. We continue to move forward with flood mitigation measures, including millions in stormwater management investments each year, as well as taking action on the steps in our Climate Resilient Burlington Plan. We are grateful for residents looking out for each other during severe weather, and encourage everyone to take steps to be prepared,” she said.
Deputy Mayor for the Environment and Ward 3 Councillor Rory Nisan said community preparedness is an important part of reducing the impacts of severe weather.
“The city continues to advance important work to improve resilience to severe weather through sustained investment in stormwater systems and flood mitigation measures. However, as summer storms become more frequent and intense, residents also play a key role in preparedness by staying informed and taking practical steps to reduce their risk and protect their property,” he said.
City officials recommend residents regularly monitor weather forecasts and warnings issued by Environment Canada, subscribe to City of Burlington news updates and emergency notifications through the national Alert Ready system, and consider signing up for flood forecasts from Conservation Halton. Residents are also encouraged to review or create a household emergency plan so everyone in the home knows what to do if an evacuation becomes necessary.
Emergency preparedness also includes assembling a home emergency kit that contains enough supplies to last at least 72 hours. A well-stocked kit should include drinking water, non-perishable food, medications, flashlights, batteries, blankets, important documents, cash, extra clothing, a battery-powered radio, and a basic first aid kit. Families should also consider adding supplies that meet the specific needs of children, seniors, pets, or any family member with a medical condition.
Taking simple maintenance steps around the home can also significantly reduce the risk of flooding. Residents are encouraged to clean eavestroughs, remove debris from nearby storm drains, test sump pumps, inspect and clean backwater valves, and ensure water can flow away from their property. These preventative measures can help reduce the likelihood of water entering a basement during periods of heavy rainfall.
If flooding threatens a home, the city advises residents to follow evacuation orders immediately and use only recommended evacuation routes, as flooded roads can quickly become dangerous. Before leaving, residents should close basement windows, move furniture and electrical appliances to higher levels, turn off electricity if it is safe to do so, shut off the basement furnace and outside gas valve, and continue monitoring emergency updates using a battery-powered radio or television.
In addition to providing information and emergency alerts, Burlington offers financial assistance through its Home Flood Protection Program. The program helps homeowners identify ways water or sewage could enter their homes by providing a subsidy covering up to 50% of the cost of a professional Home Flood Protection Assessment completed by a trained third-party assessor. Assessments are available either in person or virtually, with 20 subsidized assessments offered each year. The subsidized cost for an in-person assessment is $285 plus HST, compared with the regular price of $570 plus HST. Virtual assessments are available for $240 plus HST, reduced from the regular cost of $480 plus HST.
Residents may also be eligible for additional assistance through programs such as the Plumber Permit Fee Grant and the Enhanced Basement Flooding Prevention Subsidy Program, which help offset the cost of installing flood prevention measures designed to better protect homes during severe weather.
As climate change continues to increase the frequency and intensity of extreme rainfall events, city officials say preparing before storms arrive remains one of the most effective ways residents can protect their homes, families, and property. By combining personal preparedness with municipal investments in stormwater infrastructure and flood mitigation, Burlington aims to build a more resilient community that is better equipped to weather future storms.
