Quebec floods: Streets washed out as water rising along Rigaud River

Some streets were washed out and backyards were turned into wading pools Wednesday in Rigaud, west of Montreal, as communities across Quebec deal with major spring flooding.

Water crept dangerously close to houses along the banks of the Outaouais River and Rigaud River in Rigaud.

One resident told CityNews there was “nothing alarming yet” and the situation was “normal” for this time of year.

“When you’ve grown up in this bay, it’s normal for there to be water in the spring,” said Gabriel Claude. “It’s admittedly a little higher than usual – it’s usually maybe 6-8 inches lower – but it’s normal.”

With his home fully dry, Claude was visiting friends who lived near the water to see if they needed any help.

“I came to see if they needed something,” he said. “They’ve once had four feet of water in the basement, but they’re OK this time around. Their pumps are working.”

As of Wednesday at 11 a.m., water was rising at the Baie de Rigaud and along Rigaud River. Water levels were holding steady at Baie Quesnel.

In its updates to residents on Tuesday morning, the municipality said the water level was expected to drop by Wednesday but warned minor flooding could occur until Thursday.

#WATCH: Some streets were washed out and backyards were turned into wading pools Wednesday in Rigaud, west of Montreal, as communities across Quebec deal with major spring flooding.

READ: https://t.co/EatWZZD1I2 pic.twitter.com/rvze3pCu9w

— Alyssia (@rubertuccinews) May 3, 2023

 

 

—With files from Alyssia Rubertucci