Welcome to our new website

We’ve redesigned niagararegion.ca to make it easier to find what you need. We’re still putting on the finishing touches, so over the next few weeks you may notice:

  • Search is still learning. Some results may be incomplete or out of date. Try browsing by topic from the main menu.
  • Some links may not work. Old bookmarks and links may lead to pages that have moved.
  • Pages are still being updated. We’re reviewing content across the site and improving it as we go.

Hazards in Niagara

Know the risks Niagara residents may face, and what to do before, during, and after each one.

Weather alerts

Environment Canada uses a colour-coded system with three alert types.

Yellow weather alert

Yellow

Watch

Yellow alerts are the most common. It means that hazardous weather may cause damage, disruption or health impacts.

Orange weather alert

Orange

Advisory

Orange alerts are uncommon. It means that severe weather is likely to cause significant damage, disruption or health impacts.

Red weather alert

Red

Warning

Red alerts are rare. It means very dangerous and possibly life-threatening weather will cause extreme damage and disruption.

Hazards

Check the Air Quality Health Index for current and forecasted values, or call 1-800-387-7768 for recorded readings.

The Air Quality Health Index tells you the level of risk to your health when exposed to air pollution in your area over a short period. Since people react differently to air pollution, the index uses a simple scale to show how to protect your health during times of low, moderate, high and very high pollution levels.

For air quality health in Niagara, check the St. Catharines Air Quality Health Index.

During wildfire smoke

  • Limit outdoor activity and strenuous exercise if you feel unwell or have difficulty breathing
  • Reduce indoor air pollutants and consider a portable air purifier

A Winter Weather Advisory is declared at -10°C, opening emergency overnight beds at:

  • St. George's Anglican Church, St. Catharines — 50 beds, opens at 8:30 p.m.
  • Summer Street Shelter, Niagara Falls — 25 beds, opens at 7 p.m.
  • Ontario Road Shelter, Welland — 15 beds, opens at 7 p.m.

Exposed skin can become frostbitten in as little as 30 seconds in extreme cold. Watch for hypothermia signs: shivering, confusion, slurred speech or exhaustion.

Staying safe

  • Dress in waterproof layers and cover exposed skin
  • Keep children indoors when it's -15°C to -20°C with wind chill
  • Check on at-risk neighbours
  • Call 211 if you need help finding shelter or support

Cold weather relief

Many municipal recreational facilities, including libraries and community centres, are open to the public to get warm during extreme cold. These are not emergency shelters. For locations and hours, visit your city or town:

Niagara Transit provides free rides to designated public facilities during extreme cold weather.

Niagara sits in a region with relatively low earthquake frequency compared to coastal areas of Canada, but it isn't earthquake-free. You can check recent and historical seismic activity through Earthquakes Canada, or look up earthquake risk estimates for your specific area using Natural Resources Canada's RiskProfiler tool.

Wherever you are when an earthquake starts, take cover immediately and stay there until the shaking stops.

Indoors

  • Drop under heavy furniture, cover your head, and hold on
  • Don't run outside — you're more likely to be hurt by falling debris

In a vehicle

  • Stop safely, stay inside, and avoid bridges, overpasses or anything that could collapse

Avoid

  • Doorways, windows and elevators
  • Stay at least 10 metres away from downed power lines

After

  • Stay calm and help others if you're able to do so safely
  • Watch for aftershocks
  • Don't light matches — a gas leak could cause an explosion
  • Evacuate if you suspect structural damage or a gas leak
  • If tap water is available, fill the bathtub or containers in case supply gets cut off

The Niagara Peninsula Conservation Authority issues flood messages in increasing order of severity: water safety statement, flood outlook statement, flood advisory and flood warning.

Before

  • Keep important documents and valuables out of the basement
  • Don't store household chemicals in the basement

If flooding is imminent

  • Get your emergency kit ready by the exit
  • Only shut off electricity if the area is completely dry. Water and live electrical wires can be deadly. 
  • Move furniture and belongings above ground level

During

  • Never drive or walk through flood water — it may be deeper or faster than it looks
  • Don't enter a flooded basement that may contain live wires

After

  • Don't return home until authorities say it's safe
  • Have an electrician check the power before re-entering if it wasn't shut off beforehand
  • Watch for mould and throw out contaminated food

For guidance on how to clean, disinfect, and prevent moisture and mould issues indoors, visit Health Canada's guide to addressing moisture and mould indoors.

If you're near a hazardous materials incident, call 911 immediately.

Signs of a hazardous materials incident may include a strong or unusual odour, a visible vapour cloud or smoke, or multiple people nearby suddenly feeling unwell.

Remember: time (minimize your exposure), distance (get as far away as possible), and shielding (protect yourself from the substance).

If you're in an affected area

  • Leave the area if you can do so safely
  • If you can't leave, or you're told to shelter in place, go indoors, close windows and doors, and turn off air conditioning, heating or ventilation
  • Cover exposed skin and your airway
  • Seek immediate medical attention if you feel dizzy, nauseous, or notice changes in breathing or heart rate

If you're in a vehicle

  • Keep windows and vents closed, and don't use heating or air conditioning
  • Drive away from the site if it's safe to do so

Environment Canada issues heat warnings when Niagara is expected to see two or more consecutive days of 31°C+ daytime highs, nights not dropping below 20°C, or a humidex of 40 or higher.

Most at risk: infants and children, older adults, people with chronic illness, pregnant people, outdoor workers, people experiencing homelessness, and low-income earners.

Heat stroke

Heat stroke is a medical emergency. Signs include confusion, dizziness, rapid breathing or a person who has stopped sweating. Call 911 immediately, and while waiting, move the person somewhere cool, apply cold water to their skin, and fan them.

Heat exhaustion

Signs include heavy sweating, weakness, dizziness and nausea. Seek medical attention if you feel at risk.

Staying safe

  • Check on neighbours, friends and older family members
  • Drink water before you feel thirsty
  • Never leave people or pets in a parked vehicle
  • Call 211 if you need help finding shelter or support

Hot weather relief

Many municipal recreational facilities, including libraries and community centres, are open to the public to get cool during extreme heat. These are not emergency shelters. For locations and hours, visit your city or town:

Niagara Transit provides free rides to designated public facilities during extreme heat.

Keep your emergency kit somewhere easily accessible even without power.

During

  • Turn off appliances and lower your thermostat to prevent damage from a power surge when service returns
  • Leave one inside and one outside light on, so you and hydro crews know when power is restored
  • Avoid opening the fridge or freezer
  • Never use a generator, charcoal or gas barbecue, or camping heater indoors — they release carbon monoxide, which is odourless and can be fatal

After

  • Let the electrical system stabilize before turning things back on
  • Turn the heat up first, then wait 10 minutes before switching on other appliances

Environment Canada issues severe thunderstorm and tornado alerts, colour-coded by expected impact. Alert Ready automatically sends a wireless alert to compatible devices for all tornado warnings, and for severe thunderstorm warnings expecting wind gusts of 130 km/h or more, or hail 7 cm or larger.

Warning signs of a tornado

  • An extremely dark sky, sometimes with a green or yellow tint
  • Large hail
  • A roaring sound like a freight train
  • Low, rotating clouds or a funnel cloud

Not all tornadoes are visible — many in Southern Ontario are hidden behind heavy rain.

During a severe thunderstorm

  • Seek shelter indoors, away from windows
  • Stay inside until 30 minutes after the last thunder, even without visible lightning
  • If caught outside, a hard-top vehicle is the next best shelter — don't touch metal surfaces
  • Avoid trees and water

If a tornado is imminent

  • Indoors: go to the basement, or an interior room on the lowest floor away from windows
  • Take shelter under sturdy furniture and cover your head
  • Outside: go to the nearest permanent building — vehicles and overpasses aren't safe shelter
  • If no shelter is available, lie low in a ditch and protect your head

Winter storms include blizzards, snowstorms, freezing rain and ice storms. Environment Canada issues winter weather alerts for snow, snow squalls, ice and reduced visibility. 

Before

  • Check your emergency kit is stocked for the season
  • Secure loose outdoor objects like garbage cans
  • Plan ahead and avoid travel during the storm

During

  • Stay indoors, away from windows and doors
  • If you must go out, dress in layers and watch for falling branches or wires
  • Stay at least 10 metres from any downed or arcing power line and call 911
  • Avoid driving until roads are safe

If your vehicle gets stuck

  • Stay inside and call for help
  • Open a window slightly on the sheltered side for fresh air
  • Run the engine no more than 10 minutes every half hour, and check the exhaust pipe isn't blocked
  • Keep moving to stay warm and avoid falling asleep