Legault expecting no additional flood damage during weekend rainfall, expands disaster assistance program

Many people in Montreal and across Quebec are still cleaning out flooded basements after parts of the province were battered by up to 200 millimetres of rain last Friday.

Although rain is expected to fall over Quebec once again this weekend, the provincial government says they don’t expect any additional damage.

At a press conference in Montreal on Friday afternoon, Premier François Legault said that several regions are still weakened by heavy rains brought on by the remnants of Tropical Storm Debby last week and many roads are still closed for repairs.

Legault indicated that between 15 and 25 millimeters of rain are expected in the coming days in certain areas.

“On the other hand, there are certain sub-regions of Lanaudière where it could go up to 50 millimeters,” he said. Generally speaking, if we exclude these three-four municipalities in Lanaudière, it shouldn’t bring any additional damage this weekend.”

The minister responsible for the Lanaudière region, Caroline Proulx, asked the population not to travel there in the coming hours, and even over the weekend, to the unoccupied territories located in northern Lanaudière, where logging roads and cottages are located.

“It’s a region with a particular character, more vulnerable,” said Proulx. There are nearly 600 private and municipal dams in northern Lanaudière. As a preventive measure, with this possibility of 50 millimeters, we have gradually opened these dams to ensure a flow of water.”

The Laurentians and Lanaudiere regions have about 15 roads closed of the 20 still left to reopen.

On Friday morning, the Ministère des Transports released a summary of road conditions in Lanaudière. It indicated that 10 complete closures are in effect, as are four partial closures. The ministry says it will be undertaking work on 11 of these sites.

The government also announced more details on the Disaster Assistance Program and how they are expanding it.

Legault confirmed the province would enlarge its financial assistance program for disaster victims to include people whose homes were flooded when their sewers backed up during the storm, rather than limiting eligibility to damage caused by overland flooding.

They say insurers must assume their responsibilities and compensate citizens, but Quebec will carefully analyze claims.

Legault says people should contact their insurance companies first and that the government assistance program is “of last resort.”

“We’ll be more flexible to receive the different requests from people because it’s a very special situation, Debby,” he said.

Applications for financial assistance and compensation can be made online or by phone at 1-888 643-AIDE or 1-888 643 2433.

At least 1,800 claims have already been made and 178 municipalities have also asked for financial assistance.