In the aftermath of devastating floods in Nova Scotia, a retired meteorologist from Environment and Climate Change Canada is emphasizing the urgent need for a national flash flood warning system.
Jim Abraham, who has advocated for such a system for years, stressed it is essential to helping residents properly respond to catastrophes.
Provinces like Ontario and Quebec have their own flood forecasting programs due to their historically higher flood risks, but this isn’t the case for Nova Scotia.
“We don't see a frequent number of floods and so the province hasn't invested in a flood forecast program,” Abraham told CBC News.
He went on the emphasize that a national flash flood warning system would not only provide timely warnings to residents but also play a crucial role in public education.
“It's just such a tragic situation,” he said in his interview with CBC News. “If we had a national flash flood forecast program, it's not only the warnings [that would help], but also the public education.”
Abraham also highlighted the importance of a coordinated response to flooding.
“All levels of government, along with citizens, and the insurance industry … needs to work together on this challenge,” he said.
Nova Scotia’s Emergency Management Office has said municipalities are responsible for leading the response to events affecting their areas and issuing flood warnings if necessary.
A spokesperson for the department also said that the province will be hiring a flood coordinator and stormwater engineer to implement flood prevention and climate adaptation measures.
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