Severe weather conditions in southern Quebec have prompted Environment Canada to issue warnings of potential additional flooding following a deluge that inundated Montreal’s West Island and surrounding areas. Over the course of Saturday, communities experienced rainfall amounts reaching up to 150 millimetres within just a few hours, leaving many streets and homes submerged.
Emergency Response in Affected Areas
In the wake of Saturday’s torrential downpour, Montreal firefighters swiftly mobilised to assist residents in the borough of Pierrefonds-Roxboro and the city of Dollard-des-Ormeaux. As the evening progressed, the Montreal fire department reported that while the situation had stabilised, crews remained engaged in door-to-door checks in flooded neighbourhoods.
Martin Guilbault, spokesperson for the Montreal fire department, confirmed at a Sunday news conference that their primary goal was ensuring the safety of all residents. “Our objective right now is to make sure all residences are safe,” he stated, highlighting the ongoing efforts to support affected families.
Dimitrios Beis, the mayor of Pierrefonds-Roxboro, revealed that “hundreds of homes” had been impacted by the flooding. In response, the borough set up a temporary shelter at the Pierrefonds arena and enlisted volunteers to assist vulnerable residents in salvaging their belongings.
Ongoing Challenges and Power Outages
Dollard-des-Ormeaux’s deputy mayor, Errol Johnson, described the aftermath of the storm as “a very difficult situation,” underscoring the urgency of the response efforts. Meanwhile, Montreal police were deployed to aid in the flooding response, closing several roads, including sections of Boulevard Pierrefonds and Boulevard Jacques-Bizard, to ensure public safety. Their assistance concluded around 2 a.m. Sunday.
Power outages, which had initially left around 20,000 Hydro-Québec customers in the dark, saw a reduction as conditions improved. By Sunday afternoon, approximately 1,312 customers remained without electricity across the province, with the majority of outages concentrated in the West Island neighbourhoods of Pierrefonds and Dollard-des-Ormeaux. Hydro-Québec indicated that some outages were part of preventive measures, while crews continued their efforts to restore service.
Disruptions at Montreal-Trudeau Airport
The severe weather also had significant repercussions for air travel. Montreal-Trudeau International Airport experienced disruptions to both flights and ground operations on Saturday evening. A lightning alert, in effect from 3 p.m. to 7:30 p.m., forced a halt to all aircraft landings and take-offs, resulting in the diversion of 25 flights. Anne-Sophie Hamel, an airport spokesperson, advised travellers to verify their flight statuses prior to heading to the terminal.
Although operations resumed normally on Sunday, the lingering effects of the lightning alert led to ongoing delays, cancellations, and baggage delivery issues, leaving many passengers frustrated.
Local State of Emergency Declared and Lifted
On Montreal’s South Shore, the city of Saint-Constant declared a local state of emergency due to flooding that damaged residential properties and road infrastructure. However, by Sunday morning, conditions had stabilised sufficiently for officials to lift the state of emergency, allowing residents to begin water removal efforts without concerns of sewer backflow.
Quebec’s Domestic Security Minister, Ian Lafrenière, confirmed he was closely monitoring the situation and maintained communication with affected municipalities.
Why it Matters
The recent flooding in Montreal highlights the pressing issue of climate resilience in urban areas. As extreme weather events become more frequent, communities must adapt to protect their infrastructure and residents. This incident serves as a critical reminder of the importance of emergency preparedness and the need for robust response systems to mitigate the impacts of severe weather, ensuring that vulnerable populations receive the support they require during crises.
