(Montreal) The remains of the hurricane Debbywhich caused major flooding in Quebec, have become “the most costly climatic event in Quebec’s history,” surpassing even the 1998 ice storm, the Insurance Bureau of Canada said Friday.
The damage thus cost 2.5 billion in insured losses. And this is only a preliminary estimate, adds the BAC in a press release.
The remains of the hurricane Debby struck southern Quebec on August 9 and 10, affecting residences, businesses and vehicles.
The BAC notes that “insured losses from severe weather events in Canada now regularly exceed $2 billion per year.”
PHOTO JOSIE DESMARAIS, LA PRESSE ARCHIVES
The asphalt of the eastbound lanes under the Salaberry viaduct in Montreal was damaged by torrential rains caused by Debby.
Insurers have received an exceptional number of claims and are therefore experiencing some delays in processing them.
The Bureau calls on the various levels of government to do their part to limit losses linked to climate change and the extreme weather events that follow.
” All the [ordres] Governments must also commit to once and for all stopping building and rebuilding in floodplains and wildfire-prone areas, investing in disaster mitigation, including upgrading stormwater infrastructure, and implementing programs to make homes fire- and flood-proof.”