CTV Tracks Floods Across Eastern Canada as Water Levels Rescind

Eastern Canada was battered by several consecutive days of rain late last week, leading to flooding in several towns and cities, prompting declarations of a state of emergency for many of them. As part of its coverage of the event, CTV News has released a map detailing areas impacted by the flooding.

Quebec was the hardest hit, with CBC reporting that 3,882 homes have been flooded as of Tuesday, May 9. Damage from the floods has been compounded by 126 landslides. All told, approximately 2,721 people from the province have been forced to evacuate their homes.

The initial damage suffered from the flood marks only the tip of the iceberg for those whose homes have been impacted. A general cost of the damage has not yet been tallied, but the figures presented by CBC suggest the financial impact will be significant.

The government has worked tirelessly to mitigate the force of the floods and private citizens have answered the call as well, but as water levels begin to rescind, attempts to provide assistance shifts from prevention to recovery.

“Given the large number of people affected by the flood, psycho-social assistance is becoming more and more important,” said Public Security Minister Martin Coiteux while speaking with CBC.

But for many, monetary assistance will also be required. Some have coverage against damages from flooding, but many do not. CIBC has offered to work with their clients to ease the financial burden of those affected.

The bank is offering to allow deferred payments on mortgages and loans, to return fees for overdraft and insufficient funds and to re-amortize payments to lower monthly costs. All affected CIBC clients are encouraged to get in touch with the bank’s support line 1-800-465-2422.