Spring floods are affecting many communities right now, but flooding worries won’t be over when water levels go down. Many communities, including Toronto, Windsor, Burlington, Brantford, Markham, and Thunder Bay have been impacted in recent years by a different kind of flooding, that has nothing to do with rivers overflowing their banks. Runoff volumes are overwhelming stormwater and wastewater infrastructure, causing properties to flood nowhere near bodies of water. Ready, set, rain!, a new report from Green Communities Canada, maps out a vision for flood-resilient Ontario communities, with a focus on urban flooding, defined as overland flooding away from waterbodies, sewer backups, and sewer overflows.

Read the full report and sign on to show your support for investment in projects to increase urban flood resilience in Ontario.

While no one can control the weather, communities can come together to address the problem.  The report details four areas where communities should take action:

  • Prioritize the most vulnerable neighbourhoods, by mapping risk and communicating with the public.
  • Support the public to prepare for flooding by retrofitting their properties and being ready for emergencies.
  • Reduce runoff and manage rain where it falls by protecting and restoring natural and green infrastructure.
  • Invest in improving infrastructure to protect all properties from large flood events.

The strategy was developed with support from the Ontario Trillium Foundation and received input from hundreds of stakeholders from across the province. 

This post appeared in the Umbrella Stormwater Bulletin Issue 74.