SAVVY: What you need to know to prepare for the next time this happens,

Torrential rain and heavy flooding left Toronto in havoc Tuesday night. The Star has all you need to know to safely deal with flooding and the cleanup.

What can I do to prepare for a flood?

Check your home. You can make flood damage claims with the city, but they won’t qualify if the damage was your fault. According to the city, if flooding in your house is caused by a blocked drain pipe, leaking foundation walls or poor lot drainage on your property, the cost of damage is on you.

It is mandatory for all property owners in Toronto to ensure their downspouts are disconnected from the City’s sewer system.

Make sure your downspouts redirect rain water away from your building’s foundation and clear any trash or debris from them so that they can drain properly.

Backwater valves can save your home during a flood. They act by blocking off the back flow from city sewers, which tend to overflow during a storm.

Take photos of your pipes, drains, foundation and basement. It will help you in case you need to claim damages with your insurance company. What should I do during a flood?

If your home is flooding and water is rising near live electricity, call Toronto Hydro to have your power shut off. Do not enter water to turn off devices.

Pay attention to your commute. The TTC tweets alerts about closures and delays.

If you see a fallen power line or have a power outage in your area, stay at least 10 metres clear and notify Toronto Hydro. What not to do during a flood

Do not attempt to drive through flooded roads. Cars aren’t equipped to deal with high water, Toronto Fire Services Capt. Michael Westwood said, adding that drivers facing a flooded road should back out of it, take an alternate route or park your car somewhere safe and wait.

Likewise, don’t try to wade or swim through floodwater. You could get swept away and may not see sharp obstacles under the surface.

Try not to take elevators. If you can manage to do so, take the stairs.

Don’t forget to call 911 if your alarm goes off. While some alarms automatically notify 911 when they go off, some don’t. What do to after a flood

Be very careful when you return to your home after a flood. If the power was on when you left, do not re-enter your home until an electrician has checked it’s safe.

If you were taking GO Transit during the flood and service was delayed for more than 15 minutes, you can claim credits for the trip.