Municipalities in Quebec are gearing up for potential flooding, with Montreal escalating to the highest alert level for emergency measures related to flood risks. Richard Liebmann, Montreal’s fire department chief and emergency measures coordinator, revealed the update during a press briefing on Thursday. He mentioned that a coordination center will be operational 24/7 beginning Friday morning to oversee all implemented measures, anticipating up to 25 millimeters of rainfall by Friday.
Liebmann reassured the public that response teams have been actively engaged for several days. As of now, there have been no reports of flooding in Montreal. In Pierrefonds-Roxboro, Montreal workers transported sandbags to Château Pierrefonds Avenue in readiness to construct modular dikes within the next day. Mayor Jim Beis highlighted the vulnerability of western Pierrefonds to flooding, attributing residents’ concerns to climate change impacts.
Jean Brazeau, the regional director for Quebec’s Public Security Ministry in the Laurentians and Lanaudière regions, projected rising water levels in various Montreal-area rivers, including the Rivière des Prairies and Lac des Deux Montagnes. In Laval, some streets in Fabreville and Laval West experienced minor flooding, according to Brazeau, who assured that public safety measures were in place.
In Terrebonne, Mayor Mathieu Traversy affirmed the city’s readiness for potential flooding, emphasizing the deployment of additional inspectors to monitor water levels closely. Some residents have already been evacuated from their homes, with affected areas expected to increase in the near future.
Meanwhile, the City of Saint-Jérôme took precautionary measures by closing the Viau Bridge over the Rivière du Nord due to the river’s high flow rate. The closure, effective from 9 p.m. Wednesday, will be in place until further notice, with a detour plan established for affected residents.
Rigaud, situated west of Montreal, warned residents of heightened water levels along the Ottawa River, potentially leading to a flood comparable to the 2023 event. The city urged vigilance and preparedness, offering sand pickups at the fire station and installing a wave barrier at the Pointe-Séguin boat launch.
The current conditions are attributed to heavier snowfall in the northern Laurentians and early winter, resulting in snowmelt contributing to rising water levels. Mild temperatures and rainfall exacerbate the situation, prompting officials to advise caution. With rising temperatures, increased meltwater is anticipated to flow into the Ottawa River watershed, potentially impacting Lac des Deux Montagnes and Montreal.
Residents are advised to stay updated via their municipalities’ social media and websites for further information on the evolving situation.