This summer, Eastern Canada, particularly Toronto, has experienced abnormally high levels of rainfall, resulting in the wettest summer on record for the region. Global News Meteorologist Ross Hull shared that Toronto Pearson Airport recorded 128.3 millimeters of rainfall in just one day, exceeding the average for the entire month of August. The west end of the Greater Toronto Area saw two months’ worth of rain falling over a single weekend. This summer has been much wetter than normal, with Toronto already surpassing the previous record for the wettest summer in 2008.
Montreal has also broken rainfall records this summer, with a significant amount of rain falling on Aug. 9 due to the remnants of tropical storm Debby. This extreme weather event caused flooding in many areas, leading to damage to homes and highways. Nova Scotia has also experienced flash flood events this summer, resulting in road washouts, evacuations, and even a tragic death of a 13-year-old boy. The region is still recovering from previous flooding incidents that caused extensive damage and fatalities. The intensity of the floods this summer has overwhelmed the infrastructure in many cities, as drainage systems and structures are not designed to handle such a large amount of rainfall in a short period.
The catastrophic flooding in Toronto in late July caused over $940 million in insured damages, with the Insurance Bureau of Canada reporting significant losses. The impact of the flooding was felt throughout the Greater Toronto Area, with the Don Valley Parkway being flooded with 97.8 millimeters of rain. The weekend deluge in August brought a staggering 128.3 millimeters of rain to Mississauga, contributing to the overall record-breaking rainfall for the summer. The wet weather has also led to challenges in drainage systems and infrastructure, as the ground has become saturated and cannot absorb the runoff from the storms effectively.
The unusual weather patterns this summer, with excessive rainfall and flooding events, have raised concerns about the ability of cities to cope with climate change-related challenges. Hull noted that many urban drainage systems and structures are not equipped to handle such intense rainfall in a short period of time, leading to overwhelmed infrastructure and widespread damage. The record-breaking rainfall this summer has demonstrated the need for improved resilience and adaptation strategies to mitigate the impacts of extreme weather events. As climate change continues to impact weather patterns, it is crucial for cities to invest in infrastructure upgrades and resilience measures to protect communities from the devastating effects of floods and other natural disasters.
The impacts of the extreme weather events this summer, including record-breaking rainfall and flooding, highlight the urgent need for proactive measures to address climate change and its effects. Hull emphasized the importance of adapting infrastructure to withstand heavy rainfall and flooding, as well as improving drainage systems to prevent damage to homes and infrastructure. The challenge of managing increased precipitation and extreme weather events requires a coordinated effort from governments, communities, and individuals to build resilience and reduce vulnerability to climate-related risks. By investing in sustainable infrastructure and implementing adaptation strategies, cities can better prepare for the impacts of climate change and protect residents from the devastating effects of extreme weather events.
