Is Canada prepared for floods like the one that happened in Texas?
Last Friday’s major flooding event in Texas, which tragically claimed the lives of 89 people, including numerous children, has left local communities shattered. Many are now questioning whether adequate warnings were provided to residents and campgoers, and if more could have been done to prevent such a devastating loss of lives. As the focus shifts closer to home, some Canadians are wondering if our country is prepared for such extreme weather events. The answer, according to experts, is both yes and no.
Kathryn Bakos, managing director of finance and resilience at the University of Waterloo’s Intact Centre on Climate Adaptation, believes that Canada is in a good position when it comes to understanding and researching measures to reduce extreme weather risks such as flooding. However, she points out that the implementation of these actions falls short. Outdated flood-risk maps are one of the areas where Canada is lacking in preparedness. Many of these maps are decades old, leaving communities vulnerable to flooding events.
Canada has not been immune to flood events in the past. The 2013 flood in Calgary and the subsequent rainfall event in Toronto caused billions of dollars in damages and claimed lives. With the impacts of climate change becoming more evident, it is crucial for Canada to update flood-risk maps and invest in flood mapping and adaptation projects. The federal government recently announced funding for such initiatives, signaling a step in the right direction.
Walter Regan, a former president of the Sackville Rivers Association in Nova Scotia, has long advocated for updated flood plain maps. When Halifax experienced severe flooding in 2023, the maps were found to be 95% accurate in predicting the affected areas. Regan stresses the importance of updating flood-risk maps nationwide to protect citizens and mitigate future risks.
While Environment and Climate Change Canada issues weather watches and warnings for various weather events, including heavy rain, there is currently no national flood alert system in place. Dave Sills, deputy director of the Canadian Severe Storms Laboratory, believes that a national flood alert system could be beneficial but would require strong advocacy and collaboration between federal and provincial authorities.
In conclusion, Canada has made strides in understanding and researching measures to reduce extreme weather risks such as flooding. However, there is still work to be done in implementing these actions, updating flood-risk maps, and potentially establishing a national flood alert system. By prioritizing these measures, Canada can better prepare for future extreme weather events and protect its communities from devastating losses.
