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Insurance Brokers Association of Ontario (IBAO) urges Ontarians to take rain storm precautions

TORONTO, Aug. 20 - In the name of safety and prevention, and in the wake of recent downpours throughout the province, the Insurance Brokers Association of Ontario (IBAO) reminds Ontario residents to take precautions to reduce the potential damage caused by severe summer rain storms.

In August 2005, four inches of rain fell in a one-hour period in Toronto and parts of Southern Ontario. The storm cost Ontarians over $100 million, resulted in massive flooding, and caused significant damage to over 5,000 homes.

In the event that such a storm occurs again, IBAO warns Ontario residents who live in flood-prone areas to take the following precautions to reduce the likelihood of injury and damage to their property and home:

• Clear leaves and other debris from eaves troughs, downspouts and catch basins to allow proper drainage.
• In extreme downpours, even clear eaves troughs can overflow. Make sure the grading around your home drains away from all exterior walls, window wells, and other openings.
• Keep drinking water, canned food, flashlights, spare batteries, a first-aid kit, and a transistor radio in your home.
• If you are caught in a storm while driving, watch out for flooded roadways, especially low spots like underpasses. If you encounter a flooded underpass, do not attempt to drive through it -- take an alternative route instead.

Although IBAO CEO Randy Carroll admits such severe weather as that seen during Ontario's August 2005 storm is not a normal occurrence, he says Ontarians should nonetheless be prepared to deal with this type of weather, as it is likely to happen again at some point in the future.

"A little preparation now will serve you and your family well in an emergency," says Carroll. "There's no doubt."

About IBAO:

The Insurance Brokers Association of Ontario (IBAO) is a "not for profit" association that represents and serves the interests of over 10,000 independent property & casualty insurance brokers in the Province of Ontario. www.ibao.com.