Montreal considers basement apartment ban to combat flooding risks

• Montreal officials consider banning basement apartments in certain areas to reduce flooding risks
• The Ville-Marie borough has already implemented similar regulations, encouraging other boroughs to follow
• The RénoPlex program offers financial aid for flood protection renovations, with up to $40,000 available for multi-unit dwellings
• Tropical Storm Debby caused record-breaking rainfall and $2.5 billion in insured losses, highlighting the need for improved flood prevention measures

Banning basements: Montreal officials are weighing a ban on basement apartments in certain areas to mitigate flooding risks during severe weather. The move comes after Tropical Storm Debby caused significant sewer backups and damage.

Protective programs: The Ville-Marie borough has already enacted such regulations, and other boroughs may follow suit. The city is also pushing residents to adopt preventive measures and utilize financial assistance programs for flood protection.

• The RénoPlex program offers up to $20,000 for single-unit buildings and up to $40,000 for multi-unit dwellings for flood protection renovations.
• The city council is urging the provincial government to expand its financial compensation program to include sewer backups.

The backstory: Tropical Storm Debby brought record-breaking rainfall, overwhelming Montreal's sewer systems and causing extensive damage. The storm resulted in $2.5 billion in insured losses, surpassing the 1998 ice storm's CA$1.75 billion in damages.

• More than 150 millimeters of rain fell on Aug. 9, breaking the previous record set in 1996.
• Montreal's average August rainfall is about 94 millimeters.

The big picture: Canada's insurance industry faces unprecedented losses from natural disasters, with $7.1 billion in insured damages this year alone from floods, wildfires, and hailstorms.

• Montreal's current sewer infrastructure can't handle the volume of water from severe storms, and upgrading it would be costly and time-consuming.
• Other boroughs may soon follow Ville-Marie's lead in banning basement apartments as a flood prevention measure.