Dozens of citizens evacuated and isolated, several roads blocked, dams destroyed: the cities of Baie-Saint-Paul, in Charlevoix, and Saint-Côme and Sainte-Émélie-de-l’Énergie, in the Lanaudière region, are still struggling with flooding, forcing a state of emergency. Two firefighters are still missing in Saint-Urbain, about 30 minutes north of Baie-Saint-Paul.
The mayor of Saint-Côme, Martin Bordeleau, declared a state of emergency on Monday evening due to flooding.
Same story in Sainte-Émélie-de-l’Énergie, where a state of emergency has also been declared due to rising waters. Part of Route 131 is closed. A dam broke, isolating around 300 homes in the area. So far there have been reports of a landslide and about 20 roads being blocked.
“Due to the heavy rains of the past few days, several roads are damaged and in danger of giving way. We ask for your greatest caution during your compulsory trips, ”underlines the municipality of Saint-Côme.
We suggest avoiding route 347 near rue de l’Auberge and the yellow coast, Rang 9, Terrasse Bellevue, chemin Laporte, rue du Lac-Émile and du Lac-Guénard. “Many of these roads are already cut off. »
The victims can take refuge at the Center de Loisirs Marcel Thériault, the municipality said in a press release.
According to Environment Canada, 15 to 30 millimeters of rain are expected Tuesday afternoon through Wednesday evening. “Showers will be moderate to heavy with a chance of a thunderstorm this afternoon. The quantities are lower than those of the rain event of the last two days. However, this rainfall will create additional stress on already vulnerable waterways. »
A historic flood split Baie-Saint-Paul in two, isolating 1,000 people Monday evening.
Research is also continuing in Saint-Urbain, in the Charlevoix region, to locate the two volunteer firefighters swept away by the torrent on Monday. A command post has been erected and a Canadian Armed Forces plane is flying over the area in search of the two missing.
Public Security Minister François Bonnardel is due to address the media in the morning. 350 people are reported to have been evacuated due to the floods and approximately 1,500 isolated residences across Quebec.
