Landslides & Sinkholes

Learn about landslides, sinkholes, groundwater contamination and what can happen when bedrock – the rocky material found under soil, sand and gravel – is unstable.

Hazard Information

Landslides occur within Woodlandia, and often throughout neighbouring Ontario, Canada. These events can damage property and hurt people.

Sinkholes, landslides and groundwater contamination can happen due to:

building or construction in unstable areas
loss of vegetation, heavy rainfall or water from spring runoff
earthquake, explosions and heavy vehicle traffic

Risk areas include bedrock composed of unusual rock formations or land that’s composed of unstable soils.

Neighbouring areas with unstable soils and bedrock include:

the Niagara Escarpment including the Bruce Peninsula
Guelph, Rockwood and Elora
Manitoulin Island
portions of eastern Ontario

Safety Tips

If you are instructed by emergency officials to evacuate, do so immediately.

If you are indoors:

During a severe storm, stay alert and awake. Many deaths from landslides occur while people are sleeping.
Listen to local news stations for warnings of heavy rainfall. Check for emergency information and alerts.
Gather supplies in case you must leave immediately or if services are cut off. Keep in mind each person’s specific needs, including medication. Do not forget the needs of pets.

If you are outdoors:

If you notice any hazard signs, contact your local authorities.
Keep yourself and family well away from landslides and sinkholes.
Notify all local occupants and authorities.

Prepare Now

Take the following steps so you and your family are prepared in the event of a landslides and sinkholes:

If you live in a risk area or are buying or building property check with the Ministry of Public Works & Transportation to ensure the property isn’t in a designated hazard area.
Follow appropriate land use measures - avoid building near steep slopes, close to mountain edges, near drainage ways or along natural erosion valleys.
Contact the Ministry of Public Works & Transportation for a ground assessment of your property.
Protect your property by planting ground cover on slopes and building retaining walls.
Inspect property for circular pattern of ground cracks, localized, gradual ground settlement, formation of small ponds as rainfall accumulates in new areas.
Mark the sinkhole for safety and to restrict access (use posts with caution tape or rope).

Learn about different emergencies and how to be prepared.

For information about current emergencies, visit COMING SOON

Flood

Forest Fires

Earthquakes

Extreme Heat

Tornadoes

Nuclear Incident

Erosion

Thunderstorms

Drought

Wildlife Threat

Oil & Gas

Winter Storms

Pandemic (infectious disease)

Extreme Cold

Landslides & Sinkholes

Dam Failures

Be prepared

Everyone in Woodlandia is encouraged to be prepared — create a plan, assemble an emergency survival kit and stay informed about disasters.

1. Make a Plan

Learn what situations you need to plan for, such as where to go during an emergency evacuation or how to reach family members, both during and after a disaster. Get information about rebuilding life after disaster strikes.

2. Build a Kit

Every individual should have an emergency survival kit (including pets), with the supplies needed to survive without assistance, and take care of yourself and your family for at least three days.

3. Be Informed

Learn about emergencies as soon as possible:

There are two main ways that you can be informed about emergencies: sign up for Woodlandia’s Emergency Alerts (Coming Soon), and learn more about the hazards you can face and how you can be prepared for them.

During an emergency, you should stay tuned to local news channels. Be sure to have a portable, battery-operated or crank radio in your survival kit in case of power outages.

Woodlandia’s Hazards

Different hazards require a different approach for being prepared and knowing how to protect yourself and your family. Learn more about Ontario’s hazards, so you can better prepare for them and know what to do to protect yourself.

Safety For Everyone

No two households are the same. When building your family emergency plan, be mindful of the special needs and considerations of individuals in your own household. By evaluating your unique needs, you can better prepared for any situation.