River-adjacent neighborhoods in the greater Montreal area were mostly spared from floods over the recent weekend, but authorities are staying vigilant as a second wave of potential flooding is anticipated in early May while water levels remain elevated.
Ian Lafrenière, the province’s new interior security minister, mentioned on CBC’s Daybreak that some areas saw a rapid 30-centimeter rise in water levels within 24 hours. This has prompted urgent action from cities and residents.
In Rigaud, about 70 kilometers west of Montreal, waters were still on the rise, with a couple seen using a boat to evacuate themselves and their dog to safety. The closure of the Île Mercier bridge in the borough of L’Île-Bizard–Sainte-Geneviève was announced due to high water levels in the Rivière des Prairies.
The borough of Île-Bizard-Sainte–Geneviève shared on social media that ongoing efforts included the completion of a new dike, expansion of an existing one, and the installation of a flood barrier near the Sainte-Geneviève pumping station.
Montreal Mayor Soraya Martinez Ferrada expressed concern in the Pierrefonds-Roxboro borough, where ankle-deep water flooded at least one street, though homes protected by sandbags remained unharmed.
The borough has been proactive in flood preparation since mid-March to prevent a repeat of the damages suffered during the 2017 floods. Following legal action by numerous residents against the city for negligence in preventing their homes from flood damages in 2017, preparations have been intensified.
Mayor Jim Beis of Pierrefonds-Roxboro noted a shift in flood occurrences, with four significant incidents since 2017, attributing this change to climate change. Various anti-flood measures have been implemented, including a 1.5-kilometer dike winding through the borough’s backyards.
In Pointe-Fortune, Mayor Sandra Lavoratore highlighted the heightened state of alert due to rising Ottawa River levels, endangering around 30 at-risk homes. The town faces riverbank erosion challenges caused by waves from a nearby hydroelectric dam.
Efforts to mitigate these risks include a study commissioned by the province to address the situation in Pointe-Fortune and the adoption of preventive measures in Gatineau as water levels stabilize.
Montreal, Gatineau, and surrounding areas are closely monitoring water levels and have taken preemptive measures such as the installation of pumps and sandbags to manage excess water. Rescue teams are on standby, and residents in vulnerable zones are urged to stay alert and follow safety guidelines provided, including the use of sandbags for protection.