If you live in Canada, there’s a good chance you’ve heard about how the country’s geography makes it particularly prone to experiencing floods. In general, almost every province has some areas that are more susceptible to this natural disaster than others. Any given area is at risk of experiencing a flood based on many factors including topography, natural water sources, and climate. There are many different places in Canada where floods are most likely to happen. While it’s impossible to know for sure whether any given area will experience a flood at some point in the future, there are certain locations where the risk is higher than usual. Staying informed about potential risks in your area is critical for knowing when to take precautions and what actions you should take if a flood does happen. Keep reading for more information about 5 places in Canada where floods are most likely to happen.
Ontario – Toronto and the GTA
One of the places in Canada where floods are most likely to happen is the GTA. Many people don’t realize that Toronto is built on a flood plain, but it’s true. A flood plain is an area that is regularly affected by floods because of its low-lying topography. Since Toronto sits below sea level, it’s particularly vulnerable to floods and is one of the places in Canada where floods are most likely to happen. Most of the flood risk in Toronto comes from the Don River. This river system has a long history of flooding, especially in spring when snow melt causes high water levels. The GTA also has a few other rivers that run through it, increasing the risk of flooding in the area. These rivers also provide a large portion of Toronto’s water supply, which is one more reason to be cautious about any potential flooding. When flooding does occur, it can affect a large portion of the population. In 2017, a flood in the GTA caused $79 million in damage and forced over 100,000 people out of their homes.
Quebec – Montreal
Another place in Canada where floods are most likely to happen is the city of Montreal. Many of the same risk factors that make Toronto susceptible to floods also apply to Montreal. It too sits on a flood plain and has a river running through it that has a history of flooding. Even though the city’s water supply comes from a different river, there is still a risk that flooding could disrupt the city’s water supply. In 2017, a flood in Montreal caused $83 million in damage and forced 10,000 people to evacuate their homes.
Manitoba – Winnipeg
Winnipeg is another place in Canada where floods are most likely to happen. It’s situated in the middle of a large prairie region where the majority of the soil is chernozem, which is extremely fertile but also very waterlogged. Winnipeg has a handful of creeks and rivers that run through it, making it a flood risk zone. The largest of these rivers is the Red River, which has a history of flooding. The city sits at the bottom of a Red River Valley, which means that it is particularly vulnerable to floods. Luckily, Winnipeg has experienced several different floods throughout its history and has learned a lot about how to minimize their effect. There are many different precautionary measures that can be taken in Winnipeg to reduce the risk of a flood and minimize the damage if one does occur.
Alberta – Calgary
Calgary is one of the places in Canada where floods are most likely to happen. Like Winnipeg, it sits in the centre of a large prairie region where the soil is naturally waterlogged. Because of this, Calgary has a number of creeks and rivers that have the potential to flood. While it’s hard to predict exactly which floods will hit any given year, there are some that Calgary experiences more regularly than others. There are several weather conditions that are associated with the most frequent types of Calgary floods. For example, strong southwest winds in the fall can cause a large amount of water to build up in the Bow River. The Bow River is one of the primary sources of drinking water in Calgary, so floods that occur during the fall and winter can create a serious risk to the city’s water supply.
Conclusion
All in all, floods are a very real danger in Canada. While they can and do happen in all provinces, certain areas are more susceptible than others due to their geographical locations. Luckily, it’s possible to take certain precautions to reduce the risk of a flood in your area and minimize the damage if one does occur. It’s important to stay informed about potential flood risks in your area and know what to do if you think one is imminent.
Need Help From Professional
After the floodwaters have subsided, cleanup work can start. Given the damage that floodwaters frequently leave in their wake, this can be a challenging undertaking. Making a plan of action and assessing the damage is the first stage. This can involve hiring with a skilled cleaning business Xtremecontrols to assist with the laborious work. The wet and damaged materials must then all be taken out. This could involve insulation, walls, carpeting, and furnishings. To stop the formation of mold and mildew, the area will need to be cleansed and disinfected after all of the damaged objects have been taken out.
