Spring floods put Montreal on high alert. An increase in watercourses harbors the risk of flooding in several communities and urban centers.
Posted at 4:31 p.m
Water levels at the Carillon Power Plant on the Ottawa River surpassed the small flood threshold on Sunday, and flows are expected to continue to increase over the next 48 hours.
Due to the spring flooding, several counties and metropolitan areas, particularly along the shores of Lac des Deux Montagnes, Lac Saint-Louis and the Rivière des Prairies, are at risk of flooding of varying severity, the City of Montreal warned in a press release.
The metropolis goes into “alarm” mode and declares its willingness to use the necessary resources in the event of a flood.
“We know how stressful this time of year is for many Montrealers living along the Rivière des Prairies and we will be there to support them. Our teams stand ready to commit the necessary human, material and financial resources to deal with flooding,” said Alain Vaillancourt, chief of public safety at the City of Montreal Executive Committee.
If you live in a high-risk area, define an emergency plan and prepare a kit of basic items to cover a family’s needs for 72 hours, the city reminds. Important documents and items can also be stored in a watertight container upstairs.