With continuing heavy rains and strong winds, be prepared for utility issues. From traffic signal outages, to flooding, sewer overflows, power outages and downed powerlines, this article explains the steps you can take to stay safe. 

Traffic signal outages 

Severe weather can impact traffic signal operation. Technicians are responding to traffic signal outages in Central Kingston. Please adjust your driving for inclement weather and help keep our workers safe. Treat intersections where traffic signals aren't operating as four-way stops. 

Sewer overflows 

We're experiencing sewer overflows due to heavy rains. Learn how & why this happens with information from our video https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=IIDZTwL7q-s.

Get real-time updates on sewer overflows from our map, learn what we are doing to help reduce the problem and get answers to frequently asked questions at www.utilitieskingston.com/overflows.  

Flooding

Heavy rains are a leading cause of basement flooding and sewer back-ups.

Our crews are actively checking the operation of the sanitary sewer collection system and taking steps to correct any issues we may find. For example, operators are checking maintenance hole covers for storm water that may inadvertently be leaking into the sanitary sewer system.

There are steps you can take to help protect your property from basement flooding.

Take steps to help prevent basement flooding: 

As heavy rains continue, customers are reminded that any basement is at risk of flooding, even if it’s never happened before.  Take action - Utilities Kingston offers some steps you can take today to protect your home. 

If your basement has flooded:

First and foremost, consider your family’s health and safety. Entering a wet basement could be hazardous! When in doubt, don’t enter the flooded area until you are told it is safe by a professional qualified to do so. For 24-hour emergency assistance with a sanitary sewer flood in your home, call Utilities Kingston at 613-546-1181. We will check the sanitary sewer collection system, ensure it's working properly, and correct any issues we may find. 

Know what to do if your basement has flooded. 

Avoid driving through flooded areas:

• Avoid driving through puddles as they can hide a pothole that could damage your vehicle or its suspension, or flatten a tire. The spray of water could obstruct the vision of adjacent motorists and result in a collision, cause harm to nearby pedestrians or drown your engine, causing it to stall. Water can also make your brakes less effective.
• Avoid driving on flooded roads, water may prevent your brakes from working. If you must drive through a flooded stretch of road, test your brakes afterward to dry them out. Test your brakes when it is safe to do so by stopping quickly and firmly at 50 km/h. Make sure the vehicle stops in a straight line, without pulling to one side. The brake pedal should feel firm and secure, not spongy, that's a sign of trouble. If you still feel a pulling to one side or a spongy brake pedal even after the brakes are dry, you should take the vehicle in for repair immediately.
• Obey road closures and signs and using appropriate detour routes.
• Get more information on driving in bad weather from the Ministry of Transportation. 

Strong winds can cause power outages, and downed trees & power lines 

Power outages:

Utilities Kingston is available 24 hours a day to respond to power outages in the Kingston Hydro electricity distribution area.

Are you experiencing an outage? Check our outages map, and if it's not listed, report it to us 24/7 at 613-546-1181. If you require electricity service in the west or east areas of the City, contact Hydro One at 1-800-434-1235.

Downed power lines: 

• If you see a downed power line or tree branch that has fallen on a power line, always assume it still has electricity flowing through it, even if it isn’t sparking.
• Stay back at least 10 metres or 33 feet (that’s about the length of a school bus) and don’t touch anything metal (such as guard rails) in the area.
• Report it immediately by calling 911 or our emergency line at 613-546-1181. This line is answered 24 hours a day, seven days a week.
• If a power line falls on your car, the car and the ground around it may be electrified and you could be killed if you get out of the vehicle. Stay inside until the utility workers tell you it’s safe to get out. Tell everyone to stay back 10 metres or 33 feet.

For 24-hour emergency assistance, call us at 613-546-1181.