The Insurance Bureau of Canada (IBC) is urging residents in Atlantic Canada to prepare for the 2023 flood season as the warmer spring weather brings an increased risk of flooding in the region.
IBC Atlantic vice president Amanda Dean emphasized the importance of being prepared for severe weather events for personal safety and financial security.
“Flooding can cause extensive damage to your home and property,” she said. “Part of that includes mitigating any damage to your property when it is safe to do so.”
A press release from IBC offered tips to help protect properties from water damage, including clearing all floor drains and storm sewer grates, ensuring that downspouts are clear of debris, moving valuable items out of the basement, and installing a sump pump with a backup power source.
With warmer weather comes the risk of spring floods. Do what you can now to help #ProtectYourProperty. Read & share these tips with family & friends. #FloodPreparedness #SpringThaw pic.twitter.com/DQZ6Q1GjDS
— IBC (@InsuranceBureau) April 24, 2023
The release also provided an update on the present flood risk in Atlantic Canada.
There are no active provincial flood alerts in Nova Scotia, Prince Edward Island, or Newfoundland & Labrador at the time of publication, but IBC did note that certain areas in New Brunswick reached flood stage last week.
In particular, IBC said water levels in the lower St. John River are expected to decrease in Fredericton and Maugerville, while other southern communities such as Grand Lake, Sheffield-Lakeville Corner, Oak Point, Hampton, and Quispamsis-Saint John are not expected to reach flood stage in the coming days.
IBC went on to remind property owners to become familiar with what is covered under their particular insurance policies.
“Flooding remains Canada’s greatest climate-related risk,” IBC said, noting that there are over 1.5 million households across the country that are “highly exposed to flooding.”
IBC has been taking an active role in pushing for improvements to Canada’s climate resilience, with its press release stating that it is looking forward to continuing its collaboration with the government to establish a national flood insurance program within the next 24 months.
Plans for a low-cost flood insurance program were announced in the federal government’s 2023 budget, which allocated $31.7 million over three years, starting in 2023-24, for the project.
“Its implementation is the single most important step Canada can take to better prepare for the impacts of climate change,” IBC said of the program.
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