Published: July 2026 | Version: 1.0 | Last updated: July 2026
Applies to: Municipalities and municipal staff responsible for emergency planning and response.
Purpose: This bulletin outlines risk management considerations to help municipalities prepare for extreme weather and coordinate recovery efforts.
Current weather threats
Alberta’s weather is becoming more unpredictable and more destructive. As of July 22, the province had recorded 24 confirmed tornadoes in 2026, compared with 15 in 2025. Hailstones are growing larger, thunderstorms are becoming more intense, and extreme weather events are occurring more frequently. As these patterns continue to shift, municipalities must ask an important question: Are we prepared when the next storm strikes?
As summer progresses, weather patterns can shift from cool, wet conditions to periods of intense heat and humidity. These rapid changes can contribute to extreme weather events, including thunderstorms, large hail, high winds, and tornadoes. Municipalities must be prepared to respond quickly and effectively when storms strike.
Here are some key risk management considerations to help your municipality stay ready.
Before extreme weather events
Review emergency management plans
- Ensure your emergency management plans and supporting documents are current and comprehensive
- Ensure staff who may be involved in an emergency response are familiar with their roles and responsibilities
- Conduct regular training and refresher sessions throughout the year
Strengthen communication systems
- Confirm that emergency alert systems are functioning properly
- Ensure residents are aware of any mobile applications or notification services available to them
- In areas with limited cellular coverage, consider implementing automated phone notifications to reach residents, particularly those who rely on landlines
Protect municipal assets
- Consider how municipal assets may be exposed during an extreme weather event
- Consider the potential losses if the entire municipal fleet is parked outdoors in a single location during a hailstorm or tornado
- Where practical, disperse vehicles and equipment during non-operational periods
- Ensure fleet vehicles are fuelled and ready to respond
- Develop contingency plans in case fuel stations or other critical services are disrupted
Plan for vulnerable populations
- Identify residents who may require additional assistance during an emergency, including seniors, people with mobility challenges, and people experiencing homelessness
- Establish outreach and support plans before extreme weather occurs
Designate public shelters
- Identify shelter-in-place locations
- Communicate shelter locations to residents
- Remember that access to safe shelter during a sudden weather event can significantly reduce risk to the public
Maintain mutual aid agreements
- Review mutual aid agreements and utility response contracts regularly
- Confirm that contact information, responsibilities, available resources, and response expectations remain current
- Ensure staff know how and when to activate each agreement
Review insurance policies
- Review all insurance policies to ensure your municipality has adequate coverage
- Pay particular attention to property, automobile, heavy equipment, and business interruption coverage
After extreme weather events
A rapid and organized response following an extreme weather event is just as important as the preparation that occurs beforehand. Residents expect to see a visible, coordinated recovery effort. Effective post-event actions help restore confidence and community resilience.
Communicate with residents
- Let residents know when the immediate threat has passed
- Provide updates on recovery efforts
- Consider establishing a dedicated information line to answer questions, report concerns, and direct residents to available resources
- Use the dedicated information line to help reduce pressure on 911 services, allowing emergency dispatchers to focus on urgent calls
Assess damage quickly
- Deploy crews and emergency responders as soon as it is safe to do so
- Conduct damage assessments
- Identify priority areas
- Establish barricades or restricted zones until hazards have been evaluated and mitigated
Provide hazard reporting channels
- Ensure residents know how to report hazards such as downed trees, damaged infrastructure, or fallen power lines
- Establish clear reporting processes to help the municipality address risks more efficiently
Monitor critical infrastructure
- Monitor the effects of extreme weather on roads, utilities, drainage systems, and other essential services
- Communicate service disruptions or usage restrictions to residents
- Provide guidance on how residents can help protect municipal infrastructure during recovery efforts
Notify RMA Insurance
- Contact RMA Insurance immediately after an event so we can help complete assessments of affected municipal assets
Extreme weather readiness checklist
Before
- Emergency management plans and supporting documents are current
- Staff understand their emergency response roles and responsibilities
- Regular training and refresher sessions are conducted
- Emergency alert systems are functioning properly
- Residents know about available notification services
- Municipal assets have been assessed for extreme weather exposure
- Vehicles and equipment are dispersed where practical
- Fleet vehicles are fuelled and ready to respond
- Plans are in place to support vulnerable residents
- Shelter-in-place locations have been identified and communicated
- Mutual aid agreements and utility response contracts are current
- Insurance policies have been reviewed
After
- Residents have been told when the immediate threat has passed
- Updates on recovery efforts are being provided
- Residents know how to report hazards
- Damage assessments have begun where it is safe to proceed
- Priority areas have been identified
- Barricades or restricted zones have been established where needed
- Critical infrastructure and essential services are being monitored
- Service disruptions or usage restrictions have been communicated
- RMA Insurance has been notified
Summary
Extreme weather can develop quickly and affect municipal operations, assets, infrastructure, and residents. Municipalities and residents can weather extreme storms when the right plans, partnerships, and communication strategies are in place.
RMA Insurance is here to support municipalities and the communities they serve.
Questions?
If you have questions or would like guidance on risk management and emergency preparedness, contact your Risk Advisor or the Risk Team at risk@rmainsurance.com.
*This bulletin is provided by RMA Insurance for general information only. It is based on our understanding of current law and practice as of the date of publication and does not constitute legal, engineering, emergency management, or other professional advice, or an interpretation of any insurance policy. Coverage is governed solely by the terms, conditions, limits, and exclusions of the applicable policy. Municipalities remain responsible for complying with their legal obligations and determining the emergency management measures appropriate for their operations and communities. For advice about your specific circumstances or insurance coverage, contact your RMA Risk Advisor, insurance representative, or legal counsel.