Last year’s ice storm reminds everyone to be prepared for extreme winter weather: IBC

The Insurance Bureau of Canada (IBC) is using the one-year anniversary of the Ontario ice storm that caused more than $200 million in insured losses to remind all concerned that the storm was not an anomaly and preventive measures must be taken to guard against extreme weather events.

On Dec. 20 last year, rain, freezing rain and snow began falling in parts of southern Ontario including the Greater Toronto Area (GTA), Ottawa, and Windsor, IBC notes in a statement. The $200 million hit from the ice storm helped drive insured losses for 2013 to a record-breaking $3.4 billion in severe weather losses. (The figure was based on estimates from PCS-Canada.)

2013 was the fourth consecutive year of natural disaster losses for the insurance industry in Canada that hit the $1-billion mark.

“Canadian communities are seeing more severe weather, especially more intense rainfall. This overburdens our sewer and stormwater infrastructure, resulting in more sewer back-ups in homes and businesses,” Don Forgeron, IBC’s president and CEO, said earlier this year.

The damage and costs associated with the ice storm were not foreseen before the storm hit. And despite efforts by emergency and service workers, insurers and volunteers, “the storm still took a serious toll on families and communities,” Ralph Palumbo, IBC’s vice president, Ontario, says in the statement.

It is important to “remember key lessons that were learned, including the benefits of emergency preparedness planning,” Palumbo says, recommending that homeowners review emergency measures with both families and neighbours.

“By ensuring you have an emergency plan, a well-equipped emergency kit, a home inventory and a well-secured home, you can help keep your loved ones safe and properties secure when extreme weather hits,” Palumbo notes.

But the increase in extreme weather demands that preparations be in place outside the home as well. IBC reports that it is important to make sure emergency measures are in place, not only for governments and corporations, but for families and communities as well.