Some Prairie communities on alert as spring flooding takes hold

A number of communities in Saskatchewan have declared states of emergency in the wake of spring flooding that has hit some parts of the province hard.

For example, the Village of Borden, about 50 km northwest of Saskatoon, noted in an advisory Monday that residents should be aware of potential flooding and that water levels were expected to keep rising. Mitigation efforts were under way, including building a trench in Borden, building up roads and protecting property in Onion Lake Cree Nation, and creating a barrier (Saskatchewan’s Water Security Agency (WSA) and the Ministry of Government Relations were working together to do so) to help protect several homes in the Town of Asquith from flooding by a local wetland.

In a statement Wednesday, the WSA informed the public of a situation developing on the Saskatchewan River by the Codette Reservoir near Nipawin. “The combination of ice movement in the North Saskatchewan and Saskatchewan River, with sharply increased flows overnight and today into Codette Reservoir, have necessitated a significant spill from SaskPower’s Francois Finlay Dam. Communities along the Saskatchewan River between Codette and Tobin Lake have been notified.”

In early April, Saskatchewan and neighbouring Manitoba were put on high alert for increased spring flooding potential on the Red, Souris, Pembina, Assiniboine, Saskatchewan and Qu’Appelle rivers, and in the interlake.

“It’s important to take preventive action against severe weather during the spring thaw as damage caused by overland flooding is not covered by home insurance policies anywhere in Canada,” Bill Adams, vice president, Western and Pacific for the Insurance Bureau of Canada (IBC), noted at the time.

Still, overland flooding can contribute to sewer backup, coverage for which is usually available and can be purchased as an add-on to policies. With regard to coverage, the IBC notes the following:

• Sudden and accidental bursting of plumbing pipes and appliances is covered by home insurance policies. However, damage may not be covered when freezing causes the escape of water.
• Water damage in a basement due to a sewer backup is only covered if specific sewer backup coverage has been purchased.
• Damage to a vehicle from water is usually covered if comprehensive or all-perils coverage auto insurance has been purchased (check policy since this coverage is not mandatory).

Snowstorms in southern Saskatchewan and rainfall in southern Manitoba on Monday and Tuesday were not expected to help areas already dealing with flood or flood risk. A late-season snowstorm at the tail end of April brought to Saskatchewan reports of 10 to 30 cm of snow, Environment Canada noted in a special weather statement yesterday.

In Manitoba, Environment Canada reported an energetic storm system tracking across the northern American plains into northwest Ontario brought significant precipitation to southern parts of the province. As of yesterday morning, unofficial rain and snowfall reports over 24 to 36 hours included 19 mm at the Winnipeg Airport, 23 mm at Winnipeg forks, 21 mm in Steinbach and 15 mm in Portage la Prairie.

Further north, precipitation fell mainly as snow, producing significant accumulations in some areas, ranging from 20 to 45 cm.

The WSA reported yesterday the substantial amount of snow will add to flows when runoff resumes as temperatures begin to rise, expected this weekend. The agency further advised Monday that the public should be aware of the potential for ice jamming on the North Saskatchewan River. “Ice jam is unpredictable and can cause rapid rises in water levels. This creates the potential for serious and significant flooding,” the statement added.

“Although basement flooding is a risk at any time of the year, the risk increases with high river levels because the sewer system must then rely heavily on pumping stations rather than gravity to carry the rainfall runoff,” noted a statement issued Tuesday by the City of Winnipeg.

The statement also served as a reminder about the Basement Flood Protection Subsidy Program, launched by the province and the city in 2011 to help homeowners protect their basements from flooding caused by overloaded sewers during severe weather. Homeowners can apply for a subsidy of 60% of the invoiced cost, up to a maximum subsidized amount of $1,000 for installing an in-line backwater valve only, $2,000 for installing a sump pit drainage system, and $3,000 for installing both.

SGI Canada also reminded customers what they can do in the event of a sewer backup claim or flood damage to a vehicle. Customers who suffer property damage or losses from flooding are advised to contact their insurance brokers so that adjusters can be assigned as soon as possible to assess damage.

While waiting on an adjuster, steps should be taken to protect property from further damage or loss if it is safe to do so.

*            Seek professional advice on how to clean up – which should be done as quickly as possible – and take all reasonable steps to minimize the extent of the loss.

*            Do not throw out anything. Store damaged items in a reasonably safe place so that the adjuster can see them when he or she arrives.

*            Have a qualified electrician, dealer or service person check any appliances, including furnaces, that have come in contact with water before they are used.

*            Do not touch any electrical systems or panels until it is safe to do so, especially in wet or damp conditions.

*            Move damaged belongings to a dry area with good ventilation.

*            Customers with flood-related vehicle damage can file an auto claim online using the SGI Auto eClaim service or by calling an SGI Dial-A-Claim Centre.