Toronto floods: After water ran through basements, owners ask who will cover the cost

The heavy rainfall from Tuesday’s storm led to flooding in basements right across the GTA.

It was the second straight day of torrential downpours for the city and region.

It was quite an ordeal for homeowners who spent Tuesday bailing out basements and spent Wednesday taking stock of what was lost, what can be restored and finally who will cover the cost of what was lost.

Caryn Lieberman has more.

#GlobalNews

[grandmufftwerkin]

Sorry, city hall spent all the money renaming streets and squares.

[sebebalios]

Don't expect an insurance company to help you out. "optional coverage, not included in regular coverage"

[johnstewartrichards]

You must have a Backwater Valve installed on the sewer pipe in your basement. No backwater valve installed = no basement flood insurance! The City of Toronto has a rebate program to pay for installation of Backwater Valves in Basements for many years. The City is not responsible for water flooding your basement if you do not have a valve installed. This is like a rebate on your property taxes. These stop city sewer water from back flowing and flooding into your basement. There is no excuse to not have a Back Water Valve installed. I installed one in my 1880 built home. Since installation never have had any basement flooding issues. This news report was incomplete and should have added comments about recommendations the City has had for years. All professional plumber in Toronto know this topic.

[speedy_brennan]

Toronto residents be prepared for flood insurance to be removed from your insurance. That happen in Windsor-Essex region after the major flooding happen. You can't get it in your insurance now in the region.

[IvanclydeBasco]

this lady has been mewing since birth.

[mohammedmubarak]

Just confused whose responsibility is it to protect their own BASEMENT from water. It's BASEMENT what can we expect in a flood. 🤔 is city to be blamed 🤔

[Lala_mags]

Its the home owners responsibility. if you are buying or going to rent a house/apartment check the food maps for the area, which are free and provided by Toronto and region conservation authority. If the property is in that area and is known to flood either dont move in, or if you still do, add on flood damage to the house and car insurance and if you own the property insure that there is a backflow preventor, which will prevent city lines from backing into the basement and causing flooding. there is a rebate program for this. you faulted on your responsibilites and these are the consenquences.

[Kwame_Baroown]

2:50 Christ that female reporter has a jawline even the biggest gigachads would be envious of 🤯

[Ace-vt]

How about fixing the underground sewer systems so things don’t get flooded again, or is that to much work??!!

[Ont]

Who do they think is going to cover the cost? Insurance.
And if you don’t have insurance, you do.

[carlosoliveira-rcxt]

People need to take responsibility for their own homes like they do for their cars. They love when their home goes up in value but extra insurance or simple backup valves, no way.

[treynolds]

Thats why I have overland flood insurance here in Peterborough may never flood but if it does we should be covered. Thats what happens when you cheapout on insurance.

[corwyncorey]

If you do not have a backwater valve installed *you are not covered* by insurance... because you should have had one installed years ago (the City would have reimbursed you for it).
In essence, if you didn't have a backwater valve *it is your own fault* and your mess.

Plan ahead. Most crisis management is planning for the worst possible scenario, and taking any reasonable steps to prevent it. Spending $1600-$2600 (that you get back) could have saved the entire bill you are stuck with now. And would have made your insurance cough up on the damages.

[nitinprasad]

If you can afford a home in torronto then you can afford the repair bill as well .

[politicalfoolishness]

There was a DRAKE paddling in the water 🦆🤣

[gasad]

this is why you have insurance. its your own fault if you cheap out on insurance.

[sisterinchrist]

Whoops..those houses that were built in a matter of weeks can't stand extreme weather...

[elliectroncake]

How about we put the cost on the top 50 corporations causing 80% of global warming, causing stronger storms, hurricanes, and other natural disasters?

[Obamabinladen]

Certainly it wouldn’t be the insurance companies

[wocookie]

Backflow preventers. In Alberta if you don’t have one you may not have insurance.