[Image Credit: Canadian Armed Forces via Twitter/Storyful]
More 1600 members of the Canadian Armed Forces were dispatched to assist in flood defense and relief efforts across Quebec on Sunday. More than 140 municipalities across Quebec were considered flood zones, around 1900 homes were affected, and mandatory evacuation orders had been put in place for several areas, according to the CBC.
Update: there are now approximately 1650 @CanadianForces members helping people in flooded areas #inondations #Quebec @urgencequebec pic.twitter.com/p04fxwa0Tz
— CF Operations (@CFOperations) May 8, 2017
Montreal declared a 48-hour state of emergency on Sunday as rising floodwater threaten communities across Quebec. The Canadian Press reported that the officials made the declaration after three dikes in the northern Pierrefonds-Roxboro borough gave way yesterday.
[Credit: YourTechReport via Storyful]
Officials warned that the flooding was expected to continue for several days with water levels in the Riviere des Prairies expected to rise 7.8 inches overnight. At least 170 homes have already been evacuated and Montreal Mayor Denis Coderre urged residents to comply with evacuation orders.
We know some of you are hurting. We know it's difficult.
More @CanadianForces members are on the way to help.#inondations #ottnews pic.twitter.com/jJh8UIVJUV— CF Operations (@CFOperations) May 7, 2017
[Credit: Canadian Armed Forces via Storyful]
A state of emergency has also been declared in the Eastern Ontario city of Orleans, a suburb of Ottawa since Thursday. Mayor Guy Desjardins warned that water levels had risen 10 inches on Saturday evening, according to The Review.
Residents putting sandbags on a flat bed to deliver to Rockland. This is hard work. It's raining and cold, but dozens are still volunteering pic.twitter.com/AuqFMqi1eE
— Alex Abdelwahab (@alexabdelwahab) May 7, 2017
[Credit: Twitter/Alex Abdelwahab/Metro Ottawa via Storyful]
Residents spent their weekend filling up sandbags to help those affected by flooding in the neighboring city of Clarence-Rockland. CBC spoke to a local conservation official who said heavy rainfall and snowfall had contributed to “a once-every-20-years-event” adding that the Ottawa River was expected to reach a record-breaking height on today or Tuesday.
Hundreds of people were forced from their homes in Gatineau, Quebec, because of flooding in the capital region with more rain expected over the weekend. Gatineau is also a suburb of Ottawa, located on the Ottawa River.
Canadian soldiers have been deployed in the area to assist those affected. Rainfall totals have approached 70 millimeters (2.75″) since the beginning of the month.
For WeatherNation: Meteorologist Mace Michaels