Torrential Rains Cause Major Flooding in Southern Quebec

Nearly half a million customers of Hydro-Québec found themselves in the dark on Friday evening after heavy rains battered the southern part of the province. The downpour, which has caused localized flooding, has made situations critical in many areas.

One municipality, La Macaza, located about 170 kilometers northwest of Montreal in the Laurentians, has declared a state of emergency. They’ve even opened shelters for those affected and set up an emergency coordination center.

Mayor Yves Bélanger reported that one person had to evacuate, while others are trapped and emergency services are reaching out to residents stuck in isolated areas.

Urgence Québec posted on social media advising residents to check their town’s social media and websites for updates on disaster relief. They also noted that several locals have been trapped due to floodwaters.

If you think about it, the rain has been relentless. In Montreal, they initially forecasted 70 to 100 millimeters of rain. For context, the average rainfall for all of August in the city is about 94.1 millimeters.

Some regions, like Berthierville—Saint-Gabriel, are expecting as much as 120 millimeters of rain by Saturday. Meanwhile, in Saint-Zénon, a landslide has resulted in the closure of Route 131.

According to Peter Kimbell from Environment and Climate Change Canada, by 3 p.m. Friday, Montreal had already seen 80 millimeters of rain. In Granby, which is roughly 80 kilometers east of the city, they recorded an astonishing 103 millimeters.

Kimbell mentioned that more rain was expected, warning that another 50 millimeters could fall in the Montreal area later that day. The situation could escalate before it improves.

Travel plans for many were also disrupted at Montreal’s international airport, with several flights either delayed or canceled due to the weather.

Residents are feeling the impact as well. Michael Simeonidis, one local, was jolted awake at 5:30 a.m. by his water alarm. His basement on Norman Street in Saint-Laurent had flooded again, marking the second time in just over a month.

Last month, a sewer issue caused a similar problem when remnants of Hurricane Beryl caused chaos. This time, it was the tropical storm Debby that overwhelmed the area.

Saint-Laurent Mayor Alan DeSousa expressed that Montreal should investigate why flooding continues to plague the area.

Since such a heavy rainfall is extraordinary, Transport Ministry spokesperson Louis-André Bertrand stated that no sewer system could handle it.

In the city, roads have been obstructed with debris, making drainage efforts challenging. The downtown Montreal shelter, Resilience, also reported flooding issues, showcasing how widespread the problem is.

Montreal’s information line, 311, has received over 250 calls about flooding. Officials are urging residents to call if they notice overflowing catch basins or water threatening property.

Along with the flooding, the weather has forced event cancellations in Quebec City. Notably, the comedy festival ComediHa! Fest has canceled its outdoor shows for Friday evening as has the music festival Cigale.

Pride Montreal also decided to call off all outdoor events that day, although indoor events continued as planned. The weather is clearly affecting many aspects of life across the province.