Flood Hazards

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Stay Safe

Always stay away from fallen power lines, especially during a flood. Water conducts electricity and electrocution in water can be fatal. Electrocution is the second most common cause of death during floods after drowning.

Cutting power to flooded areas

  • We must cut power to any area that has experienced flooding. By shutting off power, we minimize the risk of electrical shock or electrocution due to fallen power lines and fallen power poles
  • Cutting power to a flooded area ensures our electrical equipment that may be under water is not a safety threat to our employees who arrive on scene. This allows us to restore power safety and as quickly as possible
  • Cutting power also protects our electrical equipment from water damage, which would delay our power restoration efforts

For more information on how we respond to power trouble, see how we find and fix outages.

Before, during and after a flood

Before, during or after a flood, call the SaskPower Flood Information line at 1-877-585-3395. In an emergency, call 310-2220 (toll free).

Need a checklist of what to do for electrical and gas safety before, during and after a flood? Download your copy today.

Did you know a SaskPower electrical permit is required when installing a portable generator for your home or farm? For operating, wiring and transfer-switch information, download your copy today.

Before a flood

  • Disconnect all outdoor electrical devices that are in danger of being submerged
  • Turn off breakers to outdoor plugs
  • Hire a licensed gas contractor to shut off your gas supply before moving gas appliances that might become submerged
  • Call Sask 1st Call at 1-866-828-4888 before you dig, to ensure you stay safe and don't interrupt important services like emergency 911
  • Have a corded phone ready. Cordless phones don't work when the power is out
  • Post our telephone number in the event of an outage or power trouble: 310-2220

For northern propane service

  • Shut off the electrical and gas supply to all natural gas and propane appliances
  • Propane tanks must be secured in flood conditions. Ask your propane supplier to move your tank to higher ground or place it on blocks to protect it from flood waters. For propane services, contact your local propane supplier
  • If you own a propane cylinder that weighs 100 lbs. or less, secure it with wire rope, steel cable or chain to a stationary object to prevent it from floating away

During a flood

  • Stay away from fallen power lines and fallen power poles, even if they don't appear to be live
  • Call us at 310-2220 to disconnect power during emergencies
  • Disconnect all equipment and receptacles in your basement if water is entering. Unplug appliances and turn off breakers, only if this can be done in a safe manner. If electrical receptacles are underwater and any electrical appliances are plugged in, do not enter the area. Never stand in water to operate breakers
  • Use a Ground Fault Circuit Interrupter (GFCI) when using pumps, lights and tools near water. The GFCI will protect you from electrical shock
  • Use a generator only for tools like lights and water pumps. Never connect portable generators to house circuits because doing so can cause a dangerous feedback situation. Never run a generator indoors or in confined spaces. Keep all cords and generators safely out of water

Gas appliances

  • Shut off the valves to all propane tanks or cylinders
  • Call SaskEnergy at 1-888-700-0427 if you are unable to shut off your gas service and water is entering your basement
  • Use portable propane construction heaters or other fuel-burning heaters cautiously and in well-vented areas only. Never use appliances (i.e. gas ranges) that are not certified for heating as a temporary heat source, as they can be a source of carbon monoxide poisoning

After a flood

  • Contact the SaskPower Flood Information line at 1-877-585-3395 to reconnect your electrical service
  • When restoring power to a flood-damaged premise, a permit must be issued from a licensed Saskatchewan electrical contractor and a SaskPower Electrical Inspector must do an inspection of the property to ensure it is safe to reconnect the power
  • All work must meet the minimum requirements of the current Canadian Electrical Code. When electrical equipment is exposed to water, it may look safe on the outside but it can be extremely dangerous to reuse
  • If your power was disconnected as a safety precaution but you didn't experience flooding, a SaskPower Electrical Inspector will ensure it is safe to restore power without an electrical contractor or permit. Call 1-888-757-6937 (option 5)

Gas appliances

  • Call a licensed gas contractor to relight a gas appliance if it was submerged in water. Furnaces, water heaters and other gas appliances exposed to flood water can be extremely dangerous and must be checked by a licensed gas contractor before use
  • If appliances need to be replaced or serviced, a permit must be issued and the work must be done by a licensed gas contractor
  • If your gas was disconnected as a safety precaution but you didn't experience flooding, a SaskPower Gas Inspector will ensure it is safe to restore your gas or propane service without a gas contractor or permit. Call 1-888-757-6937 (option 5)

For electrical and gas contractors

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