Why Aren’t Flood-Damaged Homes Being Renovated to Withstand Future Flooding?
In the aftermath of severe flooding, billions of dollars in damages have been reported across Canada. Damaged homes, filled with soggy furniture, moldy drywall, and destroyed electronics, are often rebuilt to their original condition with the help of insurance. However, experts are now urging homeowners and insurers to focus on flood resilience, not just restoration, to prevent future devastation.
Traditionally, insurance companies prioritize “identical reconstruction,” meaning homes are rebuilt as they were before the disaster. While this approach might work for a one-time event, repeated flooding—driven by climate change and aging infrastructure—makes this method ineffective. Bernard Deschamps, an insurance expert with over 35 years of experience, suggests that rebuilding homes to better withstand floods should be the norm, especially in areas prone to recurring disasters. Craig Stewart from the Insurance Bureau of Canada echoes this, noting that places once experiencing floods every 100 years now face them multiple times a decade.
Incentives to Build Flood-Resilient Homes
Some insurance companies are beginning to offer incentives to encourage homeowners to rebuild with resilient materials, such as water-resistant drywall and insulation. Homeowners may receive additional compensation beyond the cost of standard restoration if they opt for such materials. However, despite these incentives, many are unaware of the upgrades necessary to reduce future flood damage or find the additional costs daunting without more robust financial support.
Blair Feltmate of the Intact Centre for Climate Adaptation notes that fewer than 10% of households take advantage of existing subsidies, such as backwater valves, which prevent sewage backups during storms. Feltmate suggests that a greater push from both the government and insurance providers is needed to drive change.
Government Action Required for Flood Mitigation
While there are some government programs offering disaster relief for flood victims, more stringent regulations could significantly improve flood resilience. Experts, like Deschamps, are calling for new bylaws that require homes in flood-prone areas to be rebuilt with flood mitigation measures in place, such as elevated foundations or the elimination of basements. So far, such regulations have been slow to materialize due to concerns over increased construction costs.
The good news is that making homes flood-resilient is achievable. By investing in preventive measures and taking advantage of insurance incentives, homeowners can protect their property from future flood risks, ensuring that a single flood event doesn’t lead to a cycle of repeated damage.
Source: Swifteradio
