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Heavy rainfall over the weekend has left many residents of Montreal grappling with significant flooding and power outages. According to Environment Canada, certain regions, particularly on the West Island and South Shore, experienced an astonishing 100 to 150 millimetres of rain within a matter of hours. Local officials, however, report even more dire figures.
A Community in Crisis
Dimitrios Jim Beis, the mayor of Pierrefonds-Roxboro, stated that his borough faced extraordinary rainfall, estimating totals of 150 to 170 millimetres in just two hours. “The situation is extremely serious,” Beis remarked, as he outlined the extent of the damage. Hundreds of homes have been severely impacted, and many roads in Pierrefonds and Dollard-Des Ormeaux have been closed due to the flooding.
Residents of neighbouring municipalities, including Pointe-Claire and Dorval, have also reported varying degrees of disruption. The pervasive nature of the storm has raised concerns across the region, prompting local authorities to take immediate action.
Emergency Measures Underway
As of Sunday morning, Hydro-Québec reported that approximately 4,500 homes were still experiencing power outages. In response to the crisis, the municipality of Saint-Constant, located southwest of Montreal, declared a local state of emergency. Although the emergency was lifted by around 10:40 a.m. on Sunday, officials assured residents that support would continue.
Montreal Fire Division Chief Martin Guilbeault noted that the department had received around 800 calls since Saturday afternoon, predominantly from the hardest-hit areas of Pierrefonds-Roxboro and Dollard-des-Ormeaux. Over 300 homes had reported flooding, and Guilbeault confirmed that evacuations took place, with around 15 individuals requiring rescue using boats.
Safety and Recovery Efforts
The primary focus for the fire department remains the safety of residents. “The main purpose of the fire department right now is to make sure that everyone is safe and there’s no electrical issues,” Guilbeault stated. Fire crews will only assist with pumping out basements if necessary to reach electrical panels and cut off power in flooded homes.
By Sunday afternoon, Guilbeault anticipated that power would be restored to an additional 3,000 residents, potentially reducing the number of homes without electricity to around 1,000. Thankfully, no residents required assistance for evacuation from their homes; most needed help only to reach safety from their vehicles.
Government Support on the Horizon
Quebec Public Safety Minister Ian Lafrenière has pledged to ensure that residents receive the necessary support in the aftermath of this deluge. As communities come together to recover from the effects of the storm, local officials are coordinating efforts to assess damage and provide aid where it is most needed.
Why it Matters
The recent flooding in Montreal serves as a stark reminder of the vulnerabilities that communities face in the wake of extreme weather events. As climate change continues to impact weather patterns, the need for robust infrastructure and emergency preparedness plans becomes increasingly critical. This incident demonstrates the importance of local and provincial response in safeguarding residents and highlights the resilience of communities in the face of adversity.
