Insurers in the area are on standby as temperatures in a certain municipality not only broke records, but also ended up causing floods due to severe snowmelt.
Prince George saw its temperatures reach 11.9°C on Feb. 15, breaking its previous record of 10.6 in 1916, reported CBC News. The sudden warmth is a strange occurrence, especially since the city only recently experienced lows of -28°C and over 20cm of snow within 24 hours.
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The sudden change in weather conditions and temperatures resulted in snowmelt that caused flooding in some homes and streets, with ice from the recent deep freeze clogging up storm drains and exacerbating the problem.
City spokesman Michael Kellett warned that the abrupt transition from abnormally cold to abnormally warm is taking its toll on Prince George’s infrastructure.
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“Due to the recent deep-freeze the ground is still really frozen,” Kellett explained. “The lead from the catch basins that go to the water mains is still really frozen. So crews are having to go around with tools called steamers to melt that blockage, so the ponding can flood away.”
Kellett revealed that city crews have responded to over 215 calls from residents regarding blocked culverts and ditches, as well as flooded homes and basements.
The spokesperson confirmed that it would be up to city council to decide if it will review how the municipality prepares for localized flooding events.
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