Several municipalities in the West Island region of Quebec are asking the provincial government to change the recently-released flood maps, citing an error that has led to insurance premium spikes and other homeowner issues.
According to the cities, the new maps label waterfront properties in the area as flood zones. However, the mayors of Beaconsfield, Pointe-Claire, Baie D’Urfé and Dorval say that they have never had issues with flooding, and that they do not anticipate any issues in the near future.
CBC News reported that the areas in dispute did not flood in 2017 or 2019. The mayors have also explained that their cities are not in 0-to-20 year flood zones, which would put the chance of flooding each year at 5% or higher.
George Bourelle, the mayor of Beaconsfield, pointed out that as a result of the maps insurance premiums have gone up for homeowners in the area. He added that it has become more difficult for people in the area to sell their homes.
The Quebec government has also placed a moratorium on construction in flood zones, which prevents affected residents in the four cities from doing major renovations on their properties.
“People cannot build any extensions, they cannot demolish, they can’t do any work outside on their properties and so that has put some people in a very stressful situation,” Bourelle said.
City officials met with the provincial Ministry of Municipal Affairs and Housing earlier this month; it is hoped that the areas will be removed from the flood zone when an updated version of the map is published in mid-July.
