By Mike Walters, Source Water
Protection Manager, Integrated Watershed Management Director, Conservation
Ontario
It’s been less than two months since severe
flooding devastated Calgary and much of southern Alberta and closer to home disrupted
the lives of tens of thousands of Toronto area residents, stranding motorists
and leaving homes without power. For most people who were not significantly affected,
these events are already fading and becoming a distant memory. However, for those who lost loved ones, homes and
their possession the loss and suffering continues as they try to return their
lives to some semblance of normalcy.
These catastrophic events remind us of
what could happen to countless people that continue to live within floodplains
throughout Canada. One thing that has
always bewildered me about human behavior is that despite repeated incidents of
flooding, many people continue to deny that it could happen to them. Comments like “it won’t happen here” or “it
won’t happen again” are common when dealing with people who reside or work
within flood prone areas. However, these
events have taught us with certainty that flooding happens; it is only a matter
of time.
Compounding
this risk is the increased number of extreme weather events that are occurring
across Canada. As part of their hazard management programs,
Conservation Authorities (CAs) in Ontario monitor and report on the intensity
of storm events which are characterized by their return period measured in
years. For example, a 100 year storm is
expected on average to occur no more than once every hundred years. What CAs are actually finding is that large
storm events are occurring far more frequently than the 100 year return period,
sometimes within as little as three to five years.
Fortunately for its residents, Ontario
has been a leader in flood planning and hazard management. Conservation Authorities and the Province
apply a multi-faceted approach to meeting the challenge of flood events. They rely
on structural measures (dams, dykes, and conveyance channels) which keep water away from people, as well as programs and policies (flood
forecasting and warning, floodplain mapping and regulations, and flood relief
programs) to keep people away from water.
While much has been accomplished there is a growing concern amongst
Conservation Authorities that our ability to maintain and improve on this level
of management and protection is threatened.
Even though the documented frequency
of flooding events is increasing the investment in natural hazard
structures, tools, and programs are at an all time low. Over
the last decade Conservation Authorities have seen their funding to maintain
flood management programs decreased by more than 80%. Conservation Authorities are convinced that
if this trend of insufficient funding continues it will
eventually compromise their ability to protect lives and property during flood events.
We cannot
let this happen. We’re just hearing about the costs of these
events. Alberta’s Premier reports that Calgary flood damages are estimated at
$8 billion. The Insurance Bureau of Canada estimates Toronto flood damages at
$850 million. How often can we afford this?
Some
significant rethinking and reinvestment is required by all levels of government
to ensure that flood management tools are updated and infrastructure is improved
to meet our obligation to protect people and property. Updated floodplain mapping, maintenance to
flood control structures, and developing improved emergency management systems
is essential. The advantages of this approach can be further
leveraged with complementary practices such as stormwater management, green
infrastructure, and watershed stewardship initiatives which also contribute
significantly to building local watershed resilience, enabling Ontario
communities to adapt more effectively to increasing flooding challenges.
Now is the time to pay some serious
attention to what has been happening and to remember that floods happen; it’s
only a matter of time.
