Flood Preparedness for Alberta Hotels: Plan, Respond, and Recover

Flooding emergencies can escalate quickly, disrupting operations, damaging infrastructure, and placing emotional strain on guests and staff. A clear, well-documented emergency response plan allows hotel teams to respond calmly, communicate clearly, and make decisions that prioritize safety and resilience.

AHLA’s flooding preparedness guidance focuses on three core objectives:

• Safety of guests, employees, and management
• Preservation of buildings, facilities, and equipment
• Protection of hotel reputation and business continuity

 

Below is a practical overview of key actions hotels can take before, during, and after a flooding emergency.

 

Planning Ahead: The Foundation of Preparedness

Preparation is the most effective way to reduce risk during a flooding event. Hotels are encouraged to:

• Develop and document property-specific emergency response plans that reflect building layout, location, staffing levels, and operations
• Identify likely scenarios, such as power outages, water disruptions, or road closures
• Maintain up-to-date emergency contact lists, including management, utilities, insurers, and emergency services
• Establish a clear chain of command and response team roles
• Prepare a Crisis Communications Plan for internal and external messaging
• Train staff regularly and conduct drills or simulations to reinforce procedures

 

Strong preparation also includes building relationships with neighbouring hotels, local businesses, and emergency responders to share resources when needed.

 

Monitoring Risks and Preparing for Potential Threats

When flood conditions are possible or imminent, hotels should increase vigilance by:

• Monitoring Alberta Emergency Alerts and Environment Canada Weather Alerts
• Ensuring backup power systems and data backups are in place
• Reviewing evacuation procedures for both staff and guests
• Preparing a “Go Box” with essential documents, guest records, cash floats, and contact lists
• Communicating early and often with staff so everyone knows what to expect

 

Early action helps reduce uncertainty and allows teams to focus on guest care and safety.

 

Operating During a Flooding Emergency

If a hotel remains operational during an emergency, ongoing communication and flexibility are key. AHLA encourages hotels to:

• Maintain close coordination with local emergency response teams
• Provide accommodations for evacuees or first responders when possible
• Offer fair, best-available rates remembering that price inflation during emergencies is prohibited under Alberta’s Consumer Protection Act
• Be flexible with policies, such as accommodating guests without ID or allowing pets for evacuees
• Support staff with clear direction, cross-training, and access to mental health resources

 

Guests and employees alike may be under significant stress, hence, empathy, clarity, and consistency matter.

 

Evacuation and Property Closure

If evacuation becomes necessary, safety comes first. Key actions include:

• Activating evacuation and crisis communication plans
• Communicating clearly with guests about routes, evacuation centres, and next steps
• Supporting employees with transportation, emergency registration, and access to financial supports
• Securing the property and coordinating with local authorities
• Notifying AHLA of your property’s status so additional support can be mobilized 

 

Clear documentation and consistent communication reduce confusion during high-pressure moments.

 

Re-Entry, Re-Opening, and Recovery

Once authorities allow re-entry, hotels should proceed carefully:

• Conduct hazard assessments before allowing staff to return
• Inspect for electrical, structural, biological, or chemical hazards
• Document all damage thoroughly for insurance purposes
• Communicate re-opening plans clearly to staff and guests
• Follow AHLA re-entry and re-opening checklists to ensure a safe return to operations

 

Recovery continues beyond reopening. Mental health supports, policy updates, and team debriefs are essential parts of rebuilding

 

Learning and Moving Forward

After a flooding event, hotels are encouraged to gather their response teams to review:

• What worked well
• What could be improved
• What updates are needed to emergency and communications plans

 

Sharing lessons learned with AHLA helps strengthen preparedness across Alberta’s hotel community.

 

How WFG’s Hospitality Insurance Program (HIP) Can Help

In addition to emergency planning, prevention and the right insurance coverage are critical to flood resilience. Western’s Hospitality Insurance Program (HIP) supports hotels with both proactive risk reduction and financial protection.

• Free on‑site risk inspections to identify flood vulnerabilities in plumbing, drainage, foundations, and building systems
• Practical prevention guidance aligned with AHLA recommendations, such as water sensors, backflow valves, sump pumps, and equipment elevation
• Tailored insurance coverage, including flood, sewer backup, and Business Interruption (up to 36 months), to support recovery during extended closures 

 

Contact Drew Woytko – Director, Business Development at 1-866-665-8990 ext. 50152 or click HERE to learn more.

You’re Not Alone

Flooding emergencies are challenging, but hotels don’t have to navigate them alone. AHLA provides tools, training, templates, and one-on-one support to help hotels prepare, respond, and recover with confidence.

Review the complete Emergency Preparedness – Flooding guide in Tourismworks, which includes detailed checklists, templates, evacuation procedures, and re‑entry tools to support your hotel before, during, and after a flooding event.

If you have questions or need additional support, please contact us at  wehelphotels@ahla.ca