Several municipalities in Quebec are grappling with floods, with many residents evacuated from their homes.
On Sunday afternoon, Quebec authorities reported one major flood in the province, on the Coulonge River in the Outaouais region, seven moderate floods, 27 minor floods and 18 bodies of water under observation.
Officials in Mont-Tremblant, northwest of Montreal, said about 65 residences in known flood zones were affected, with residents informed. The municipality added that the situation remained under control and no major incidents had been reported.
Officials in Montreal also said Friday that water levels on the Outaouais and des Prairies rivers were rising and could spill their banks in the coming days.
The Île-aux-Chats area in Saint-André-d’Argenteuil circulation is limited to one lane of alternating traffic.
There were fears Sunday morning that the bridge would be closed, which would’ve cut off the area and isolated some 100 homes in the area. But according to local civil security officials, due to rainfall forecasts that have been revised downwards, the bridge is unlikely to close.
The bridge on Terrasse Robillard Street in that municipality closed on Friday and left 29 properties isolated, according to Brazeau.
In the Capitale-Nationale region, the Rivière Jaune has been overflowing since Saturday evening, forcing the municipality of Lac-Beauport to close two bridges.
In Quebec City, the Saint-Charles River was also overflowing on Sunday, flooding a nearby park.
Environment Canada issued a storm surge warning for Quebec City on Sunday, forecasting higher-than-normal water levels along the city’s riverbanks at Monday’s high tide.
And as the water levels of the Ottawa and Gatineau rivers continue to rise, following warm weather and rainfall, around 164 buildings are at risk of flooding, Denis Doucet, civil security director, said during a news conference Sunday morning.
Doucet said water levels in the Gatineau region were expected to peak Monday before beginning to stabilize by the weekend. He warned the region could remain at risk for at least two more weeks due to sustained high water levels and potential snowmelt from the north.
Forty-one streets have also been closed across the city and emergency crews stepped up overnight response efforts. Mayor Maude Marquis-Bissonnette said firefighters went door-to-door to warn residents living in homes at risk of flooding.
“The situation is under control at the moment; we’re familiar with it,” she said at the briefing.
“Unfortunately, the organization is well-prepared for this type of event. We urge people to prepare accordingly.”
Environment Canada said colder temperatures are expected in the coming days, which could help stabilize river levels across the province.
