Quebec/CMEDIA: Several regions in Quebec reportedly were affected today by spring flooding causing schools closure and homes evacuation in parts of Quebec.
In Drummondville, a city roughly 100 kilometres northeast of Montreal, due to rising water levels in the Saint-François River, 300 homes received evacuation orders.
“We are now in the alert phase, which means that we’re now advising our residents living in flood zones to leave their homes,” said city spokesperson Dominic Villeneuve.
Girardin sports centre in the city of Quebec has been set up as a temporary shelter for evacuees.
“People on site can find heat, electricity to recharge equipment, they can take a shower,” he said Monday morning.
Those who needed to evacuate are being reminded to take certain steps to protect their homes.
Included in the steps were turning off their gas and electricity, raising as many objects as possible, plugging their toilets to prevent sewer backups, and sealing doors and windows to prevent water coming in.
Other parts of the province are also affected by rising water levels.
Several roads in Beauceville, south of Quebec City were inundated by the overflowing Chaudière River on Sunday, ice jams at the river caused it to rise rapidly causing its banks to be bursted.
A “major flooding” alert for the waterway early Monday morning was issued by the Système de surveillance de la rivière Chaudière.
Residents shared images on social media showing flooded roads.
The Centre de services scolaire de la Beauce-Etchemin said that at least three schools were closed Monday morning due to the flooding and school bus service in the area was also cancelled.
Public Safety Minister François Bonnardel said that about a dozen evacuees were taken to a shelter after preventive evacuations were in place.
“Public Safety teams will remain on the lookout and continue to support municipal teams over the coming hours and days,” he said on X.
Meanwhile, the water treatment plant in the entire city of Nicolet, Que., reportedly with a population of roughly 8,000 was flooded Sunday night resulting in lack of drinking water.
Residents are being asked to not to consume tap water and limit their water use.
Several roads In Sherbrooke have been closed by the city officials as they monitor the Saint-François River, which was at 19 feet.
Drivers are being asked to be cautious when driving near flooded streets.
According to a statement by the City of Sherbrooke, the river was under “high surveillance” and encourages people to visit its website to follow the situation as it evolves.
According to local services, the water level reached 5,80 metres on Sunday night under the Aylmer Bridge in downtown Sherbrooke.
The following traffic lanes were closed Monday morning in Sherbrooke:
- The access ramp leading to Galt Street West and Joffre Bridge on Grandes-Fourches Street South in the city centre.
- Little Fork and Reed streets.
Four other minor floods were reported Monday morning: the Bulstrode River in Victoriaville, in Centre-du-Québec; the Eaton River in Cookshire-Eaton, in Estrie; the Nicolet River near Saint-Léonard-d’Aston, in Centre-du-Québec; and the Rigaud River, which has affected Saint-Eugène in Ontario, near the provincial border.
Nine other waterways are under monitoring.
The province’s security ministry says the peak of the floods will be observed on Monday.
