Summer storms cause flooding, force evacuations in southern and central Quebec
Between 80 to 120 mm of rain fell by end of Tuesday in parts of Quebec
Nearly 300 people had to leave their homes in Sherbrooke, Que., due to the risk of flooding caused by intense rainfall as the Saint-François River, which cuts through the city, rose to a threatening six metres on Tuesday.
"We want to offer [evacuees] all our moral support and tell them their city is behind them to support them through turbulent times," Sherbrooke Mayor Évelyne Beaudin said at a news conference.
Though no homes in the largest city in Quebec's Eastern Townships had flooded yet, Beaudin warned that it was still a risk.
Beaudin said the city has never seen the Saint-François River so high relative to how much rain fell. She says the city will have to adapt to increasingly unpredictable weather caused by climate change.
"Prevention will always be better than being reactive," she said, adding that the city will need land and infrastructure that absorbs water.
Sherbrooke evacuated the municipal garage near the bank of the river Monday.
The rain forced the closure of the entrance to the Nicholls building at Bishop's University. Communications manager Sonia Patenaude explained that the building was one of the most vulnerable to rising floodwaters.
"It's on the first floor, and the door is at the same height as the pavement," she said.
In the Lac-Brome area of the Eastern Townships, several secondary roads were flooded due to rain, and a culvert was even swept away by the rising waters.
Joshua Menard-Suarez, a spokesperson for Quebec's Public Security Ministry, said several parts of southern and central Quebec are being monitored for possible flooding and landslides.
Road closures in central Quebec
In Baie-Saint-Paul, about 90 kilometres northeast of Quebec City, Léo-Cauchon Road was closed due to the rain.
Access to the Sainte-Anne Canyon, near Beaupré, was also closed.
Highway 354 between Saint-Casimir and Sainte-Anne-de-la-Pérade, as well as a small section of Route 363 southbound at Saint-Ubalde, were partially washed out.
About 20 households in Trois-Saults also had to be evacuated.
Further north, the municipality of Lac-aux-Sables asked residents to limit travel on certain roads and streets within its territory.
State of emergency in Ste-Brigitte-de-Laval
Officials ordered the evacuation of some 220 homes in Ste-Brigitte-de-Laval, near Quebec City, amid fears that heavy rains and rising water levels could lead to flash flooding. The municipality declared a state of emergency Tuesday morning.
City manager Marc Proulx said 70 millimetres of rain fell over a few hours near the town, causing the Montmorency River to rise rapidly. He said the evacuation was ordered to ensure residents can leave safely.
Rainfall warnings
Environment Canada had forecast between 80 millimetres and 120 millimetres of rain in the Quebec City area.
The Valcartier-Stoneham, Portneuf, Côte-de-Beaupré—Île d'Orléans and Quebec areas were under rainfall warnings until Tuesday, but the warnings were lifted on Wednesday morning.
The situation was also being closely monitored in Charlevoix, where spring frost melt caused historic flooding on May 1.
In the Grands-Jardins and Hautes-Gorges de la rivière Malbaie provincial parks, trails were closed due to heavy rainfall.
The rivers Nicolet, Bulstrode, Hurons, Mastigouche, Montmorency, Eaton, Saint-François and Missisquoi were overflowing their banks, according to Environment Canada.
Environment Canada warned that torrential rains can cause flash flooding and water accumulation on roads.
With files from Radio-Canada and The Canadian Press