The Mercier Island Bridge in Montreal is still closed to traffic Wednesday morning for an indefinite period due to spring flooding. However, the citizens of the affected sectors have not received an evacuation order from the City, since the situation remains under control.
The situation is especially problematic at the entrance to the bridge on Île Mercier. “The quantity of water under the bridge is significant and the flow is rapid,” explains Martin Guilbault, division head of the Montreal Fire Department.
The City expects the water level to rise to 7800 m3. It is currently at 7500 m3he pointed out.
PHOTO PATRICK SANFAÇON, THE PRESS
Police are patrolling the area.
Residents of Île Mercier who leave their sector will not be able to return home, unless they have a safe boat to cross. “We discourage citizens who would like to leave and return by their own means to do so. There is a risk of being swept away by the current,” maintains Mr. Guilbault.
In the morning, at a meeting of the executive committee, Valérie Plante indicated that the situation was “on the whole stable” in Montreal.
“We are still in intervention mode, the emergency measures coordination center has been in operation for two weeks already,” she said, assuring that the City is ready to deal with a flood.
The Mayor paid tribute to Montreal firefighters, who are working hard to prevent flooding after long days dealing with the aftermath of the mid-April ice storm. “There are about twenty preventive dikes that have been installed,” continued the mayor, confirming the closure of Chemin de l’Anse-à-l’Orme and the Île Mercier bridge. “The firefighters are there to keep everyone safe. »
“We are crossing our fingers that Mother Nature will be lenient and that we stick to the current situation,” said Valérie Plante. “But we are ready. »