Huntsville Council endorses updated priorities for extreme weather events
Huntsville Council endorsed updated priorities for extreme weather events in the February 24, 2025, meeting.
According to the report by the Town’s Project Coordinator, Trevor Donald, “Extreme weather events are projected to become more extreme going forward and as a result, there is a duty of care to better protect and safeguard the community and homes from climate-related hazards like flooding, wildfire and extreme heat.”
The report indicates, “In 2024, Canada had its worst season of natural catastrophes ever (at $8.5 billion in insured losses).”
It adds that in 2023 the Town adopted the District’s Regional Climate Change Adaptation Plan (ReCAP) “in principle,” however, staff recommend that Council implement actions towards adaptation, including establishing priorities regarding renewing their assets and budgeting.
Staff have updated the ReCAP and made recommendations to help Council “determine priority actions and ‘quick wins,’” indicates the report.
Some of the actions will involve ensuring resilient infrastructure, including working with utility companies, naturalizing waterfront, upgrading drainage systems, adding floodplain mapping in emergency plans, improving infrastructure for transit, cycling and pedestrians, ongoing planning for wildfires and extreme heat, improving options for electric vehicles, and retention and development of green space.
Plans also include preparation for increases in flooding by working with the District on flood maps, identifying high risk areas, and open floodplains for waterflow.
The report continues that shared area municipal plans are to “ensure municipal policies encourage community food, water retention (rain garden, bioswales, etc.) and pollination gardens,” in addition to monitoring and developing policies that encourage Low Impact Development and green infrastructure in new development projects, and coordinate efforts towards improving warming and cooling methods used during extreme weather events.
It adds, “This will allow the Town to apply best practices in understanding climate risks, examine the new Federation of Canadian Municipalities (FCM) Green Municipal Fund (GMF) adaptation funding stream for infrastructure initiatives that reduce climate risks and other initiatives that build equitable resilience to climate change.”
The report also states that the National strategy estimates $13 to $15 returns in future savings and benefits for every dollar spent on adaptation measures now.
Mayor, Nancy Alcock, expressed appreciation about the collaboration with area municipalities, rather than being “a burden” on one. She added, “It makes sense versus reinventing the wheel.”
Donald said they will continue to build on the current strategy and “build on what is starting and go from there.”
