The mayor of Sainte-Brigitte-de-Laval, north of Quebec, declared a state of emergency in response to flooding that ravaged many parts of her community following torrential rains in the region.
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This decision will allow the municipality to better control lane access, speed up decision-making and order the evacuation of certain areas.
However, it will also be possible to request the help of citizens who are able to support workers in the area, apply for private housing and pay for any expenses deemed necessary.
Photo Jeremy Bernier
“It still foretells a lot of rain, we have to take preventive action to avoid the worst. This state of emergency will allow citizens to stay safe longer,” explains Mayor France Fortier.
“I am confident that we will make it. We will help you [les citoyens] and we will be there for them,” she added, wanting to be reassuring.
Photo courtesy of Pascale Anctil
Little damage… so far
So far, there has been no serious damage to the infrastructure in the municipality.
Damage is limited to shore erosion in some sections, subsidence of certain sections of road, and destruction on Enchanteresse Island. The Denis Bridge at the end of Rue de la Pépinière, where the water pressure is strong, is monitored.
Photo Jeremy Bernier
But even if the flow of the Montmorency has stabilized in the last few hours, it is still too early to say that the worst is behind us, stresses Moïse Mayer, director of public safety at Sainte-Brigitte-de-Laval.
Photo Jeremy Bernier
According to him, the Montmorency forest, where the river flows, experienced historic rainfall of 137 mm of water in 48 hours.
Photo Jeremy Bernier
“The next few hours will show us the full power of water. […] There is always a delay of about twelve hours for the drain to complete. That’s why we monitor it,” he explains.
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