Some residents expected back in water-logged Quebec town today
Posted April 30, 2019 7:59 am.
This article is more than 5 years old.
MONTREAL — Authorities in Quebec are set to partially lift an evacuation order in flood-stricken Sainte-Marthe-sur-le-Lac later today, allowing some residents to return home.
The order, which won’t include a section of the town northwest of Montreal that remains submerged, comes four days after a dike gave way, sending the Lake of Two Mountains gushing into town and forcing about 6,000 people from their homes.
Meanwhile, officials in Quebec say the data available suggests the risk of flooding on several rivers across the province remains high.
Thousands of people have been forced from their homes in Ontario, New Brunswick and Quebec.
In Quebec, 10,149 were out of their homes as of this morning, and the province reported that 6,681 homes were flooded and 3,458 homes were isolated due to flooding.
Speaking in Ottawa, Prime Minister Justin Trudeau said extreme weather events are becoming a new reality for far too many people — whether it’s flooding in the East or dry weather leading to fires raging out of control in the Prairies.
Trudeau says the federal government stands ready to work with municipalities, provinces and affected residents, whether that means rebuilding differently or moving altogether.
Some 2,000 soldiers are stationed in flood-ravaged regions in New Brunswick, Quebec and Ontario, where various communities have declared a state of emergency.
New Brunswick’s Emergency Measures Organization has said that it will take time for the situation to revert to a recovery effort, even as floodwaters have receded in some areas.
The Canadian Press
