What really caused the flooding and what are the financial implications for owners of homes seriously flooded?

By Staff

July 23, 2024

BURLINGTON, ON

A reader writes and asks: “Maybe its me, but was the extent of the water event damage due principally to the lack of attention, lapses in inspections and failure to remove debris that blocked grates exacerbated by not chipping limbs and trunks of debris?

Grate at the end of an eight foot wide culvert that moved water from the west end of Rambo Creek to a point where it crosses beneath Hwy 407 ETR

“Or was it due mostly to unpredictable amounts of rain? A combination of the aforementioned?

“In the end those affected will see increased insurance rates and less than full replacement issues.

“You have done a good job covering this  – a recap of the possible cause, sources, issues may be helpful.

“I am sure COB would like to get back to less serious matters: like selecting art for the Civic Square vanity project.”

We put the following to a number of people:

You own a house;

You are insured.

You are flooded – significant damage.

You file a claim

The claim is paid

The insurance company tells you that they will not renew your insurance,

You sell the house five years later – the owner didn’t ask if the house had ever been flooded and the owner didn’t tell the buyer.

Is the new owner going to be able to get coverage?

And if they don’t – could they sue the seller.

One person sent us the following link:

Water wasn’t able to flow into culverts