Basement Flooding
The City of St. Catharines provides guidance to help residents prevent and respond to basement flooding. Staying prepared through regular maintenance can save both time and money, whether through simple, cost‑effective steps or more comprehensive flood‑prevention upgrades.
What to Do If Your Basement is Flooded
- Contact your insurance company as soon as possible to begin your claim.
- Remove water safely using pumps, a shop vacuum, or other available equipment.
- Please be patient with standing water. As conditions improve, stormwater systems will continue to drain and recover.
Determining the cause of basement flooding is not always easy. The City needs as much information as possible from affected residents, including:
- Where is the water coming from?
- When did it start?
- How much water is there?
- Make sure to note both the colour and odour of the water.
Once the above steps have been taken and the information collected and sent to your insurance company, you can then report it to the City by calling Citizen's First at 905.688.5600.
Flood Prevention
Our Basement Flooding Prevention Guide for Homeowners provides vital information on:
- Our St. Catharines sewer system
- Types and causes of basement flooding
- Immediate and long-term flood prevention techniques
- Insurance considerations
- What to do if your basement is flooded and clean-up
Flood Action Checklist
Our Seasonal Property Flood Action Checklist provides handy tips on flooding prevention measures you can take regularly and before a rainstorm.
Flood Alleviation Program (FLAP)
For questions or assistance, contact the Program Coordinator at FLAP@stcatharines.ca.
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