Most of us think we’re pretty good at avoiding risky behaviours. The statistics say otherwise. The average person sustains over 9,600 minor injuries in their lifetime. That’s 10 per month during an 80-year lifespan. Auto mishaps and healthcare risks constitute greater risks, but thankfully with less frequent occurrence. The average driver will incur four significant auto accidents in their driving lifetime, or about one every 18 years. Healthcare issues tend to increase as we age. Avoiding risky behaviours over our normal lifespan never stops.
In the area of property risk reduction it often comes down to being smart about where and how we live. Floods are the most common weather-related cause of property damage. During Hurricane Sandy many property owners were caught off guard by the risk that flooding posed as the storm came ashore. This misunderstanding of their flood risk led to many deaths and injuries. Homes were washed away, and businesses were heavily damaged by flood waters.
To learn about flood risks regarding properties and to take steps to reduce that risk, the best place to start is by finding out what flood zone, from high to low risk, your property is in. In Canada, overland flooding costs the Canadian economy more than any other hazard and is the single largest draw on the Disaster Financial Assistance Arrangements (DFAA). Floodplain mapping identifies the boundaries of a potential flood event and is critical to supporting informed decisions and investments to reduce the impacts of flooding in communities across Canada. In consultation with provincial and territorial partners and key stakeholders, the federal government developed the first iteration of the Federal Floodplain Mapping Framework. The Framework is the first in an evergreen guidelines series, which will inform any individual or organization involved with floodplain management in Canada. The publication of the Framework will contribute to better addressing overland flooding – Canada’s costliest hazard – by strengthening floodplain mapping across the country. Federal Floodplain Mapping Framework (View) (Download)