Thunderstorms and lightning
Often accompanied by violent natural phenomena, thunderstorms are by definition intense and unpredictable. That’s why it is important to have adaptation measures to cope with the impacts of this hazard, which will increase with global warming. These solutions include monitoring and alerting systems and individual measures. In the event of heavy rain, thunderstorms can also cause flash flooding, and we need to be ready to react and adapt.
Monitoring and alerting systems
Alerting systems are an excellent means of adaption to prevent risks when extreme events such as severe thunderstorms, tornadoes and landslides occur. The Quebec government’s Québec Alert Ready system enables the government to rapidly warn the population of events that present a real or imminent threat, such as thunderstorms.
The alert messages broadcast on cell phones provide valuable information on dangerous situations in progress and indicate the recommended safety behaviours. This enables people to protect themselves and reduces the likely consequences of thunderstorms.
Individual measures
During bad weather, it’s important to take safety precautions. Before a storm, it’s a good idea to secure movable objects in the yard or on a porch or balcony to prevent them from being blown away and becoming a danger to people or objects in the vicinity.
In the event of a thunderstorm, it’s important to never endanger yourself by handling objects that conduct electricity. It’s best to take refuge in a room in the centre of the building. It’s a good idea to close doors and windows, and to stay away from them to protect yourself from strong winds and heavy rain. It’s also advisable to wait about 30 minutes after the last rumble of thunder before going outside.
Thunderstorms and the risk of flooding
Torrential rains can lead to major flood risks for transportation infrastructure and buildings. Measures must be taken against the risk of storm-related flooding.
For homes located in flood-prone areas:
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Install barriers to prevent water from entering the building.
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Check that the drainage system is working properly.
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Move valuables to a higher level to protect them.
Visit the page on flooding to learn more about how to prevent these hazards.
