Timmins posts online toolkit on preparing for heat, floods, wildfire smoke and severe storms

The City of Timmins has published an online “Climate Safe Communities Toolkit” that outlines steps residents, businesses, schools and community groups can take to prepare for extreme heat, flooding, wildfire smoke and severe storms. The city posted the toolkit on April 22.

The city says the toolkit is based on risks identified in Timmins’ Community Climate Change Adaptation Plan and includes checklists aimed at helping people plan for weather-related emergencies that can affect health, homes and local infrastructure.

The toolkit focuses on four local climate risks identified in the city’s adaptation plan: extreme heat, flooding, wildfire smoke, and other emergencies such as intense storms.

The city describes the toolkit as a set of practical strategies and includes an action checklist. The city calls people who complete that checklist “Community Climate Champions.”

As one example tied to spring conditions, the toolkit includes guidance for seasonal melt flooding. It advises residents to follow flood alerts from the Mattagami Regional Conservation Authority.

Other suggested steps include creating a household emergency plan and building a 72-hour emergency kit, according to the toolkit.

Suggested home flood-protection measures listed in the toolkit include reviewing household infrastructure and installing sump pumps and backwater valves to reduce the risk of basement flooding.

The toolkit is available on the city’s website at www.timmins.ca/our_services/environment___sustainability/climate_safe_community.