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Proactive disclosure Print version   | |  Natural Hazards and Emergency Response Flooding in Canada This information represents activities in the Earth Sciences Sector Programs (2002-2006). Please refer to Priorities for information on current Earth Sciences Sector Programs.
Occurrences of too much or too little water (floods and droughts) have historically been Canada's most expensive natural disasters. Flooding itself represents a significant cause of disasters that have resulted in substantial losses. During the 20th century, flooding caused at least 168 disasters in Canada that resulted in several billion dollars in losses and the deaths of at least 195 people (data to 1997, but not including storm surges). Between 1975 and 1999, 63 floods resulted in federal assistance payments of almost $720 million (1999 dollars). Between 1984 and 1998, insurance claims for flooding, which do not include residential losses, were in excess of $750 million (1999 dollars). Floods affect all of Canada. Well-known areas prone to flood disasters include the St. John valley, New Brunswick, southern Quebec and the Red River valley, Manitoba. Potential multi-billion flood disasters could occur in the Red River valley at Winnipeg and in the lower mainland of southwestern British Columbia where large populations are situated on low-lying lands vulnerable to high-magnitude flooding, despite being protected by structural flood control measures. The following are web materials relating to ESS flood research activities and flood-related scientific products. Some of these materials are directly relevant to major Canadian and international flood disasters, such as the July 1996 Saguenay flood disaster, the 1997 Red River flood and the 1998 Yangtze River flooding, China. Flood forecasting materials Red River, Manitoba flooding
1996 Saguenay, Quebec flooding
Flooding in the Bois Francs Region, Quebec Fraser River flooding, British Columbia International floods and related flood materials
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