STAY CONNECTED: Have the stories that matter most delivered every night to your email inbox. Subscribe to our daily local news wrap.

IBC is reminding homeowners to prepare for the melting snow

Mar 13, 2018 | 7:10 AM

Homeowners are being reminded to guard against flooding damage due to melting snow.

Rob de Pruis with the Insurance Bureau of Canada says along with extra coverage called Overland Flood Coverage, there are preventative measures homeowners can take.

“Cleaning and maintaining your downspouts and eavestroughs, if you have any drains, the storm sewer drains around your property, to make sure that you keep those clear as well to make sure the water can drain away where it is supposed to be draining away.”

He adds just because the city has snow piles in neighbourhoods, doesn’t mean they are on the hook if any homes sustain flooding damage.

“There are many factors that are involved and it’s unique circumstances to each property owner, but what you can do is you can take steps to protect that and prevent that. If you do have a lot of snow accumulation just making sure that you are maintaining your property and you are trying to make sure when that snow does melt, that it is staying away from the foundation of your home.”

Since November, just over 162 cm of snow has fallen in Grande Prairie according to Environment Canada.