Arlene Thompson-Maclaren's basement in Dollard-des-Ormeaux, Montreal, has become a battleground against the relentless forces of nature. For nearly four decades, she had never experienced the torment of flooding. But in the span of just three years, her home has been inundated three times, leaving her with a daunting task: rebuilding yet again. This story is not an isolated incident; it's a microcosm of a much larger struggle facing many Montrealers. The question on everyone's mind is: What has changed?
In my opinion, the answer lies in the intricate interplay of climate change, aging infrastructure, and urban development. These factors, each with their own unique story, have combined to create a perfect storm of flooding in Montreal's West Island. But what makes this situation particularly fascinating is the way these elements have evolved and interacted over time.
Climate change is a key player in this narrative. As Alexis Berg, a climate science professor at the Université de Montréal, points out, we are witnessing more intense storms in the Montreal area and around the world. This is a direct consequence of a warmer atmosphere, which holds more moisture and leads to heavier downpours. Jean-Luc Martel, a professor of construction engineering, adds that these extreme rainfall events are now more frequent, and we should expect to see them more and more.
However, the story doesn't end there. Aging infrastructure is another critical piece of the puzzle. Many municipal drainage systems were never designed to handle the kind of rainfall cities are now experiencing. Susan Gaskin, a professor of civil engineering at McGill University, agrees that the more a place is built up, the more impermeable surface you have. This means that more pavement and rooftops mean less water can soak into the ground, sending larger volumes of runoff toward storm sewers.
But what many people don't realize is that newer developments are generally designed with systems that temporarily retain some of that runoff before it reaches municipal infrastructure. The bigger challenge, Gaskin says, is adapting older neighborhoods that were built decades ago for a different climate. This is where the concept of 'nature-based solutions' comes into play.
Chaïma Ben, executive director of the Centre d’écologie urbaine, advocates for bringing more nature into urban environments. By removing asphalt, planting more greenery, and adding areas that can retain water, cities can mitigate the impact of heavy rainfall. These nature-based solutions can complement larger infrastructure projects, which often take years and cost millions of dollars to complete.
However, the path forward is not without its challenges. As Martel notes, 'It's not one solution.' Every area will have a different solution that will be helping them more than another area in particular. Homeowners can also reduce future damage by rebuilding flood-prone basements with more resilient materials and limiting expensive finishes in spaces that are likely to flood again.
In the end, the story of Arlene Thompson-Maclaren is a powerful reminder of the complex interplay of factors that contribute to flooding. It's a call to action for cities to adapt to a changing climate, and for homeowners to prepare their properties for the future. As we continue to navigate this uncertain landscape, one thing is clear: the battle against flooding is far from over.
