Assessing Community Vulnerability to Flood Hazard in Southern Ontario

Abstract

The purpose of this research was to determine the effectiveness of flood policies and programs in reducing community vulnerability to flood hazard in two sub-watersheds in southern Ontario. Central to this assessment was the consideration of potential damages that may result from an increase in extreme weather events due to a changing climate. This assessment includes a review of floodplain policy development, a summary of flood damage estimates for Ontario and Quebec as well as nationally, and a case study analysis of Hanlon Creek in Guelph, and Foster Creek in Newcastle. The research concludes that in the case study communities, existing floodplain policies have been effective in deterring new development from the regulatory flood zone. If the frequency of severe weather events increases significantly, portions of both communities may become more vulnerable to flood damage. © 2002 Taylor and Francis Group, LLC.