Canadians are concerned about the potential damage caused by severe rains, flooding and mould as spring arrives, according to a survey by First Onsite Property Restoration.
The survey, which polled over 1,500 adults, found that 58% of respondents are concerned about the damage caused by severe rains and flooding.
The region with the highest flooding concerns was British Columbia, which experienced historic Pacific Northwest floods in 2021, with 73% of respondents expressing worry. Atlantic Canada, still recovering from Hurricane Fiona, ranked second, with 65% expressing concern about flooding.
“One of the biggest threats to property is flooding and water damage,” said Jim Mandeville, SVP – large loss for First Onsite Property Restoration. “In the spring, when the ground is still frozen, thawing snow and heavy rainfall heighten the risk of water damage to residential and commercial properties.”
The survey also found that 73% of respondents are concerned about the risk of mould after a flooding event, and 24% of Canadians say their home or workplace has already been affected by mould. Additionally, 66% of respondents are worried about the cost of major renovations and 53% expressed concerns about their level of insurance.
Additionally, 21% of respondents voiced their concerns about landslides and mudslides, with British Columbia (39%) and Quebec (28%) reporting figures that are much higher than the national average, likely due to their higher susceptibility to major landslide incidents.
“The increased occurrence of natural flooding due to weather events is a constant driver for homeowners, businesses and communities to be more resilient and better prepared for tomorrow,” Mandeville added.
Several million homes in Canada are vulnerable to flooding, according to Canada’s Task Force on Flood Insurance and Relocation. Furthermore, the Intergovernmental Panel on Climate Change (IPCC) found that flooding has accounted for 40% of the country’s weather-related catastrophes since 1970.
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