Areas of Abbotsford B.C. were hit by flooding last year. (The Canadian Press)

By Derek Craddock

SPRING FLOODING

Saskatchewan residents least concerned about spring flooding: survey

Mar 19, 2023 | 9:00 AM

When it comes concerns over spring flooding and mold, residents of the Prairies aren’t that concerned about it.

That was one of the big findings from a survey gauging Canadians concern over spring flood and other issues that come with the change of the seasons.

The survey, called “Rising Waters” was compiled by the company First Onsite Property Restoration.

The results showed that about 58 per cent of Canadians polled were very concerned about severe rains and flooding in their community with B.C. polling the highest at 73 per cent.

What surprised Vice President Jim Mandeville was that Saskatchewan and Manitoba polled at 46 per cent, the lowest in the survey.

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“I find it interesting that Saskatchewan is among the least worried given the history of river flooding in Saskatchewan and Manitoba in the past,” he said. “I know there has been some flood mitigation measures that have been done in parts of the province, parts of Manitoba as well that has sort of lessened that risk for some communities but other communities, built on flood plains, right beside rivers is definitely a dramatic risk.”

He added that something like one major downpour or heavy rainstorm in these provinces can create flash flooding, which was seen in parts of Saskatchewan last summer.

Other components the survey addressed were issues on mold following a flooding event as well as the dangers of landslides and the sufficiency of insurance coverage.

“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,” added Mandeville.

Saskatchewan and Manitoba still had some of the lowest numbers polled with only 7 per cent worried about landslides or mudslides.

While those numbers may still be surprising to Mandeville, he says the survey should serve as a wake up call on the prevalence of flooding and the dangers that come with it.

“It’s good that it’s brought some awareness. Because a little bit of awareness and a little bit of forethought into your own situation and your own home can really mitigate the damage that happens during a flood,” he said.

“As our climate continues to evolve, we’re starting to see flooding and in particular flash flooding from these heavy downpours and rainstorms in places where we never saw it before. Just because it hasn’t happened to you or your community in Saskatchewan or Manitoba in the past doesn’t mean it won’t happen this year or next year.”

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derek.craddock@pattisonmedia.com

Twitter: @PA_Craddock