The effects of climate change in Canada can be both invisible and omnipresent. Although Canada is not one of the nations considered most vulnerable to the effects of climate change—there is no danger of typhoons, for instance—this does not mean we are exempt from the impacts of climate change altogether. Increased flooding in Canada is a very real result of climate change and it’s something that needs to be understood in order to properly assess potential future risks to people and property.
Climate Change Impact along the Coasts
Canada’s coastal regions are the most exposed to the impact of climate change in the form of more extreme weather events. For instance, in 2010, Newfoundland and Labrador faced a total of $51 million in damages wrought by the wind and water of Hurricane Igor. In 2014, New Brunswick saw $12.5 million in damages from tropical storm Arthur. From an insurance and property damage standpoint, these numbers are only going to continue rising. Canada’s parliamentary budget officer has predicted that, between now and 2020, damage from flooding due to sea levels rising and storm surges will cost roughly $4.92 billion each year.
Climate Change Impact Inland
Although more inland regions like Ontario may consider themselves less vulnerable to the impacts of climate change, less vulnerable does not mean immune. Lakes and oceans feed rivers and streams and rising sea levels can lead to the growth of such bodies. While these increases are not going to suddenly make a local river swallow a town, it does mean the default water level is going to be higher. Should a heavy rainstorm occur, storm surge flooding suddenly becomes more likely since it is easier for the river to overrun its banks. Since the increase in extreme weather events along the coast can cause storm activity inland, this is a very real risk.
Just the Tip of the (Melting) Iceberg
Not all of the projected damages from flooding are fully attributable to climate change. In Alberta, for instance, uncontrolled development in floodplains is credited as the reason behind some of the damage as well. However, it is irresponsible to think development alone can be the sole cause of these events. Floodplain construction would not be as problematic, for instance, if extreme weather events were not becoming more common. This is not even including the increased risk of wildfires throughout the country, which the residents of Fort McMurray have learned all too well.
Trust in Quick Response Teams for Climate Change Flooding
Pointing out that the impact of climate change is going to lead to more flooding is important for cautioning citizens and encouraging action by our leaders, but it doesn’t quite address what people can do if they are faced with a flood themselves. In these cases, as it has many times in the past, the job falls to flood damage remediation.
Flood Services Canada is a leading quick-response remediation service that operates within the Toronto, Oakville, Ajax, Whitby, Georgina, Barrie, Mississauga, and Lakeshore areas. We stand ready 24/7 to provide the best techniques, personnel, and technology to ensure your home or business is clean, safe, dry, and documented as soon as possible.
Contact us at (416) 302-2107 to learn more about our flood remediation and storm damage restoration services, or use our emergency hotline at (416)-999-3930 to get our rapid response teams deployed to your area.
