Quiz: Are you Flood Ready?

Are you Flood Ready? Test your knowledge of floods and flood readiness.

The first step towards reducing the potential harm of overland flooding is increasing your knowledge.

See how much you know about overland flooding by trying the following quiz. Are you an overland flooding expert, or just starting on the path to becoming Flood Ready? Whatever the case, learning more about overland flooding will help you to protect yourself and your community.

• 1. In Canada, flooding is a risk:

  1. For waterfront properties
  2. In the Prairies
  3. Almost anywhere
• Answer:

  c. Almost anywhere

  Flooding can occur almost anywhere, in any region of Canada. Being near a body of water is not the only risk, as flooding can be caused by heavy rainfall, snow melt, and failure of infrastructure such as dams or sewers.

• 2. Most Canadians have insurance policies that cover overland residential flooding.

  • True
  • False
• Answer:

  Answer: False

  Many Canadians are unaware that the cost of repairing water damage to their properties and possessions from overland flooding is not covered by most standard insurance policies. Talk to your insurer to see if you are covered.

• 3. The cost of flood damage can be higher now than in decades past because

  1. Canadians have more expensive electronics equipment at home
  2. More and more people use basements as living space
  3. All of the above
• Answer:

  c. Both a. and b.

  Canadians tend to maximize living space in their homes by furnishing their basements, which means they often have expensive electronics, such as computers, entertainment systems and furniture in their basements, where flooding is most likely to occur.

• 4. Flooding can have lasting health impacts on your family if it causes what?

  1. Insect infestations
  2. Mould
  3. Influenza outbreaks
• Answer:

  b. Mould

  Mould can cause severe allergies and other health effects. Even if you can't see it, mould can grow inside walls or under floor coverings if moisture has penetrated those areas.

• 5. The frequency and severity of floods is increasing in Canada.

  • True
  • False
• Answer:

  True.

  Climate change scientists report that severe rain storms are occurring more often in many parts of Canada, and they are expected to continue to increase in frequency and severity.

• 6. What type of neighbourhoods are more at risk of flood damage?

  1. Older neighbourhoods
  2. Newer neighbourhoods
  3. They are all equally at risk
• Answer:

  a. Older neighbourhoods

  While older neighbourhoods will have a better historical knowledge of regular flooding, they were often planned and built before today's infrastructure standards that attempt to reduce flooding and flood damage. However, newer neighbourhoods can still be at risk.

• 7. Who is responsible for preventing or reducing flood damage?

  1. The Federal Government
  2. Provincial and Municipal Governments
  3. Individual Property Owners
  4. All of the above
• Answer:

  d. All of the above

  Emergency management is a shared responsibility, involving communities, businesses, individuals, and governments at all levels. While governments have resources available to assist as an emergency escalates, individuals should make plans and take steps to keep themselves and their families safe, and to support neighbours and their community.

There's a lot you can do to be Flood Ready. Explore this site to find out how to understand flood risks and protect yourself and your community.