Summer of Storms: Climate Change in Action

Severe weather, like the ongoing flooding in southern Alberta and recent tornado in Ontario, has kicked off what may be a storm-filled summer. And though climate modeling is improving, outdated data is often a stumbling block for the industry’s mitigation efforts.

Although climate modeling for May, June and July predicted higher than normal precipitation for the southern prairies, existing “frequency curves”–used to predict weather events and guide engineers and builders–are “out of date,” says Robert Tremblay, director of research at the Insurance Bureau of Canada (IBC).

The recent rain and recent Leamington, Ont. tornado follow an escalating weather trend over the past 8 to ten years, says Tremblay. “It’s been an usual decade,” he notes. “We’re seeing the impact of climate change in Canada.”

Proof that change: increased frequency of severe weather events, like the rain, windstorms and the recent tornado. In the past 23 years, Canada has seen five intense rain evens–the kind normally seen every 80 years, he says. The industry has also seen two other events normally seen once every 100 years. The result? “More water damage, more wind damages.”

Alberta on alert

Flood clean up has begun in Medicine Hat, Alta., and surrounding areas, even as forecasts call for more rain. Provincial government photos of Cypress Hill Interprovincial Park show the waters of Battle Creek surging over an access road, while downed trees and buckled roadways block access throughout the park. In Medicine Hat, CP railway tracks gave way into the Ross Creek, and hundreds of home and business owners were evacuated after intense rain flooded the area. With more rain expected and water-soaked embankments at risk, emergency officials are warning the evacuees to keep away from their properties.

And with similar storms in store for the future–and water claims climbing steeply– the IBC is currently pilot testing a municipal risk assessment tool in Winnipeg, Fredericton and Hamilton aimed at mitigating damage, Tremblay says. The tool–expected to be widely available by January 2012–collects and analyzes data on sewer and surface water systems, urban development policies and local topography that will help municipalities target infrastructure investments and serve as an industry underwriting aid.

Renewing CDRG members

We'd like to thank Spectrum Restorations from Lloydminster, N & H Contracting from Kamloops and Service One from Collingwood for renewing their membership with the CDRG. Who you would you rather send to your policyholders damaged property? A new franchisee that is just getting into disaster restoration or a CDRG certified team member that is 2 or 3 generation restorer. Experience has its privileges.

CDRG's strength as a coast to coast Canadian Network of Independent Restoration Specialists is quickly becoming a force to be reckoned with 1726 restoration experts, an average of 18.8 years in business and 270 million in annual volume – it's safe to say our strength lies in our members. The rigorous CDRG selection process only chooses members which meet the highest industry standards. All of our 150+ locations are experienced and equipped to meet all challenges put before them. No job is too big or too small for CDRG members.