A new report from the Canadian Climate Institute warns that tens of thousands of new homes built in Canada could be in areas vulnerable to floods and fires if governments don't take action. The report uses data and modeling to identify areas at risk and urges governments to create stricter regulations limiting construction in hazard-prone zones.
Canada is pushing to build more homes. Many could end up in the path of floods, fire, report warns | CBC News LoadedWith the push on to build more housing in Canada, new research is warning that tens of thousands of those homes could be built in flood- and fire-prone areas if governments don't step in.Aa severe thunderstorm caused localized flooding in Toronto in July 2020.
"They do not create regulations that stipulate or that limit the amount of construction that can occur in hazard-prone areas." With that vast picture of Canada's surface — all its ridges, hills, mountains, plains, cliffs — Fathom's scientists can simulate the flow of water and model which areas are more prone to flooding from overflowing rivers or heavy rain.a contract with the Canadian government to build a flood hazard map. Ness said this would eventually be turned into a public portal. The U.S.
Flood damages could be up to $2 billion annually in a worst-case scenario, and fire damages could be $1.1 billion — adding to potentially $3 billion in losses every year. The report only spoke of the areas in general terms — by province or region — because of the terms of their use of Fathom's and other companies' data. Ness says that provinces need to do their own analysis, which can estimate flood risk down to a much more granular level than the big-picture analysis they have done.
"How do you explain to someone that, oh, actually we got it wrong for your house because the model is uncertain, and you can't sell it now because your house prices dropped because we've said it's too risky," said Wing.
Housing CLIMATE CHANGE HOUSING CRISIS FLOOD RISK WILDFIRE RISK GOVERNMENT REGULATION
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