Nicole Hancock
Indigenous community hosts full moon ceremony ...

Kristen Villebrun and Wendy Bush hoped they wouldn't have to pray for Chedoke Creek, but four years after they first raised alarm about the water's condition, they were part of an Indigenous full moon ceremony to do just that. About 50 people showed up near Princess Point on the dark and frigid Monday evening for the monthly ceremony, which was particularly special as it focused on Chedoke Creek. The body of water that runs into Cootes Paradise had about 24 billion litres of sewage and storm water runoff leak into it due to a gate being left open.

Indigenous community hosts full moon ceremony to heal Chedoke Creek

spring thaw

Spring flood risks highlight lack of insurance for Canadian homeowners: experts

Spring flood risks highlight lack of insurance for Canadian homeowners: experts

As the spring season brings higher flood risk to Canadians, as seen in British Columbia recently, experts say many homeowners remain without adequate insurance to cover extreme weather's damage to their homes. "I would say that Canadians in general are not truly aware of the risks that their homes are exposed to, and the exposure they have to extreme weather events and the potential losses they could experience," said Michelle Laidlaw, associate vice-president of The Co-operators Group Ltd.'s national product portfolio.

Why educating clients on changing flood coverage is essential

Why educating clients on changing flood coverage is essential

As severe flash flooding and severe water damage become a rising risk in Canada, coverage and broker talking points are evolving to address the intensity and frequency of extreme weather. Spring thaw is creating opportunities for drainage backups and property damage due to yo-yoing temperatures and unpredictable precipitation. According to Jim Mandeville, senior vice president, large loss at First Onsite Property Restoration, “insurance policies are evolving with changing climate concerns, which is something brokers should emphasize to clients who may be vulnerable.” Mandeville has years of experience working in the disaster relief sector, being on the front lines of restoration and mitigation projects across North America including Hurricane Sandy, the Slave Lake wildfires of 2011 and the Fort McMurray flooding of 2013, to name a few.

Record California snowpack bounty poses renewed flood risks

Record California snowpack bounty poses renewed flood risks

California's recent spate of epic Pacific storms has blanketed the Sierra Nevada range in a snowpack at or above record levels, state water resource officials said on Monday at a measuring station where less than 3 inches was documented last April. The bounty of mountain snow, on which California has long relied as a critical natural storehouse of fresh water during dry weather, comes as welcome relief after three years of record drought that had still gripped the state a few months ago.

'Above-average' flooding could hit Ottawa region this spring

'Above-average' flooding could hit Ottawa region this spring

A City of Ottawa task force is monitoring water levels ahead of the spring thaw and says there's no major flooding in the immediate forecast — but that could change in the weeks ahead. Water levels are currently normal or close to normal, according to the joint Thursday memo from public works general manager Alain Gonthier and Kim Ayotte, general manager of emergency and protective services.

Calm returns to Lac Saint-Jean after weekend of flooding

Calm returns to Lac Saint-Jean after weekend of flooding

Conditions on Lac Saint-Jean are slowly starting to return to normal after a weekend of flooding caused by record rainfall and the spring thaw. Municipalities surrounding the lake reported light flooding on Sunday, with the lake still topping the official flood mark in the area. "The water is coming down and our morale is rising," Luc Gibbons, Saint-Félicien's mayor, told Radio-Canada.

River Watch program launches as overland flooding remains a possible threat

River Watch program launches as overland flooding remains a possible threat

As winter nears an end, the New Brunswick government is advising residents who live near flood-prone areas to have emergency preparations ready. "While we are weeks away from overland flooding being a potential threat, the weather over the next two days is a reminder preparedness is a year-round necessity," said Greg MacCallum, director of the Emergency Measures Organization.

QUEBECERS ILL-PREPARED TO PREVENT FLOOD RISKS, SURVEY SAYS

QUEBECERS ILL-PREPARED TO PREVENT FLOOD RISKS, SURVEY SAYS

Only four per cent of Quebecers have taken steps to protect their homes from climate risks such as flooding, compared to 11 per cent of Canadians, according to a survey commissioned by the federal government. With the spring thaw and the risk of flooding approaching, Public Safety Canada is launching a campaign to raise awareness of weather-related disasters. To do so, the department commissioned Ipsos to conduct an online survey of Canadians aged 25 to 55.

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