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Montreal is grappling with significant disruption as heavy rainstorms have resulted in extensive flooding and power outages throughout the region. Reports indicate that some areas experienced rainfall between 100 and 150 millimetres in a matter of hours on Saturday, leading to saturated grounds and overflowing basements.
A Deluge of Rain
Environment Canada highlighted the severity of the situation, particularly in the West Island and South Shore regions of Montreal. Dimitrios Jim Beis, the mayor of Pierrefonds-Roxboro, reported alarming figures, suggesting that his borough received 150 to 170 millimetres of rain within approximately two hours, surpassing official estimates. Mayor Beis noted that “several hundred” homes were severely impacted by flooding, with numerous roads rendered impassable in Pierrefonds and Dollard-des-Ormeaux.
The situation extended beyond these boroughs, with communities in Pointe-Claire and Dorval also feeling the brunt of the storm, as confirmed by local officials.
Power Outages and Emergency Declarations
As of Sunday morning, Hydro-Quebec reported that around 4,500 properties were still experiencing power interruptions. In response to the extreme weather conditions, the municipality of Saint-Constant, located southwest of Montreal, declared a local state of emergency. Although the emergency status was lifted shortly after 10:40 a.m., local authorities assured residents that support would remain available.
Montreal’s Fire Division has been inundated with calls related to the flooding, particularly in Pierrefonds-Roxboro and Dollard-des-Ormeaux, where crews received approximately 800 calls since Saturday afternoon. Fire Division Chief Martin Guilbeault stated that around 300 homes had been affected by flooding, with the primary focus being the safety of residents and addressing any potential electrical hazards.
Rescue Efforts Underway
In light of the flooding, some residents required evacuation. Chief Guilbeault mentioned that about 15 individuals were rescued from their vehicles using boats, although no residents were reported to need assistance from their homes. The fire department is prioritising safety operations and will only pump out basements if necessary to access electrical panels and disconnect power in flooded properties.
As conditions began to improve by Sunday afternoon, Guilbeault estimated that an additional 3,000 people would regain power, reducing the number of households without electricity to approximately 1,000.
Quebec’s Public Safety Minister Ian Lafrenière has pledged to assist the affected communities and ensure residents receive the necessary support.
Why it Matters
The impact of this severe weather event highlights the growing challenges faced by urban centres, particularly in managing infrastructure and emergency response in the face of climate change. As communities recover from this deluge, the need for robust disaster preparedness and effective communication between municipal agencies becomes more crucial than ever. With climate-related incidents on the rise, the lessons learned from this storm could inform future strategies to mitigate similar occurrences, safeguarding both lives and property in the years to come.
