Repeated flooding is neither inevitable nor exceptional. Whether it's the result of a river overflowing, torrential rain or even a failure in the water supply network, flooding has become part of our daily lives.

There are, of course, exceptional events: on Aug. 9, 2024, Montréal and the surrounding area received the heaviest rainfall in more than 100 years following tropical storm Debby. A total of 157 mm of rainfall was recorded at Trudeau airport, and up to 180 mm in the Lanaudière and Laurentians regions. Thousands of basements were flooded. Toronto is also experiencing floods, and its wettest summer season ever, with a record-breaking 128.3 mm of rain at Pearson airport on Aug. 17, 2024.

Every year, taxpayers pay a heavy price for the damage these disasters cause. And that doesn't take into account the largely overlooked human and social consequences on our communities of flooding.

Every time there is a flooding event, decision-makers talk about the need to review our land use regulation practices or encourage the construction of green and water retention infrastructure. These changes are certainly necessary even if the benefits will only be felt in the distant future. However, the vast majority of citizens exposed to flooding events already live in areas at risk, and these areas already have such infrastructure.

Read the complete article