Floods, fires or storms—disaster can strike at any moment and can vary widely in scope and scale. When provinces and territories are overwhelmed in these situations, they can ask the Canadian Armed Forces for help. CAF members can mobilize quickly and provide relief to Canadians in dangerous situations, such as rising floodwaters or raging wildfires.
The CAF continues to respond to natural disasters whenever they occur and can provide support to communities in crisis, as seen during the COVID-19 pandemic. All emergency response and prevention operations fall under CAF’s Operation LENTUS.
Floods
Two Royal 22e Régiment light armoured vehicles in a flooded street in Saint-Jean-sur-Richelieu, Quebec in May 2011. Photo: Department of National Defence
The Canadian Armed Forces have responded to floods across the Canada, with some of the largest taking place in Quebec in the Saguenay region, and in Manitoba, along the Red River. Often during floods, Canadians need to be airlifted to safety, away from the incoming water. During the Saguenay floods in 1996, CAF members used Griffin helicopters to rescue people from rooftops in La Baie, Québec. In total, roughly 1,200 people were airlifted to safety in Operation Saguenay.
The following year, in 1997, the Red River in Manitoba flooded its banks due to warm temperatures, extremely wet weather and the rapid melting of snow. Alarmed by the rise in floodwaters, Manitoba’s government requested assistance from the CAF. On 21 April 1997, Operation ASSISTANCE, was launched, the largest domestic operation up until that point, with more than 8,500 service members providing assistance to provincial and municipal authorities in the province.
They evacuated residents, built levees and contributed in countless other ways in response to this natural disaster.
Storms
Canadian Armed Forces members helping to clean up in Quebec after the 1998 ice storm, which caused major power outages across various provinces. Photo: Department of National Defence.
In addition to flood response, CAF members have responded to major winter storms across the country that have damaged local infrastructure and put the safety of local residents at risk. In particular, the 1998 Québec Ice Storm required the deployment of thousands of CAF members, as major power outages were experienced across various provinces.
More than one million households lost power, in the dead of winter, leaving Canadians without lights, central heating, running water, or hot meals. In response, Operation RECUPERATION was launched to clear debris from the storm, rescue stranded Canadians and feed those who were without food or shelter. In total, more than 15,750 regular and reserve unit members from across Canada served.
COVID-19
Canadian soldiers delivering vaccine supplies to a First Nations community in northern Manitoba. Photo: Department of National Defence
More recently, during the COVID-19 pandemic, CAF personnel deployed to long-term care facilities in provinces at the request of local civil authorities, to help protect Canadians and minimize the impacts of the health crisis.
Canadian Armed Forces at Home
Photos of Canadian Armed Forces in Canada.
Operation NUNALIVUT
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Canadian Armed Forces personnel dig out fuel barrels from a snow-covered fuel cache in the Northwest Territories during Operation NUNALIVUT in April 2013.
Photo: Department of National Defence RE2013-0012-048Cold War
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Canadian Armed Forces Argus patrol aircraft and submarine during the Cold War.
Photo: Department of National DefenceHMCS Corner Brook
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HMCS Corner Brook sails past an iceberg while on arctic patrol in 2007.
Photo: Department of National Defence HS2007-G025-006Quebec Ice Storm
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Canadian Armed Forces members helping to clean up in Quebec after the 1998 ice storm, which caused major power outages across various provinces.
Photo: Department of National DefenceSearch and Rescue
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A Royal Canadian Air Force CH-149 Cormorant helicopter hovers over the deck of HMCS Edmonton as search and rescue technicians are hoisted on board during an exercise off British Columbia in April 2013.
Photo: Department of National Defence CX2013-0098-37Recovery Operations
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Canadian Armed Forces members performing recovery operations after crash of Swiss Air flight 111 in September 1998.
Photo: Department of National DefenceGriffon Helicopter
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A Canadian Armed Forces CH-146 Griffon helicopter flies over Vancouver in preparation for helping provide security for the Vancouver 2010 Olympic and Paralympic Winter Games.
Photo: Department of National Defence IS2009-1027-14Hurricane Igor
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Canadian Armed Forces engineers building a bridge in a small village in Newfoundland and Labrador in the aftermath of Hurricane Igor in the fall of 2010.
Photo: Department of National Defence IS2010-1020-05Royal 22e Régiment
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Two Royal 22e Régiment light armoured vehicles in a flooded street in Saint-Jean-sur-Richelieu, Quebec. May 2011.
Photo: Department of National Defence IS2011-0005-23Paratroopers
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Canadian Armed Forces paratroopers prepare their gear inside a CC-177 Globemaster plane during Exercise PEGASUS SPEAR in November 2012.
Photo: Department of National Defence IS2012-6016-087Alberta Flood
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Soldiers help the crew of a CH-146 Griffon helicopter evacuate people stranded in a provincial park during flooding in Alberta in June 2013.
Photo: Department of National Defence IS2013-3025-08Airbus
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A Canadian Armed Forces Airbus provides air-to-air refueling two CF-18 Hornet fighter aircraft during Exercise VIGILANT EAGLE 13.
Photo: Department of National Defence FA2013-5100-10Related Information
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