Quebec experienced an unprecedented episode of rain on Friday, when the remnants of the storm Debby have hit the south of the province. Closed highways, flooded houses, power outages: the deluge has left chaos in its wake.
The passage of the remnants of storm Debby shook southern Quebec from morning to night Friday. More than 480,000 customers were without power early last night, according to Hydro-Québec. In Montreal, the Laurentians and Montérégie, many homes were also victims of flooding and sewer backups.
No less than 154 mm of rain fell on downtown Montreal during the day, an “unprecedented” amount, according to Julien Chartrand, a meteorologist with Environment Canada. The precipitation record dates back to 1996, with 93.5 mm.
For the Montreal region, this is probably the worst rain event we have ever experienced.
Julien Chartrand, meteorologist at Environment Canada
The precipitation subsided early in the afternoon, but resumed in earnest early in the evening, paralyzing traffic on several roads across the province. Traffic was “very difficult” on the road network in the Montreal metropolitan area, the Quebec Ministry of Transport said around 9 p.m. on its website.
PHOTO CHARLES WILLIAM PELLETIER, SPECIAL COLLABORATION
“At this time, we have already received heavy rains and some underpasses have been flooded in various boroughs. Our teams are working on the ground,” confirms the City of Montreal.
The accumulation of water even forced the closure of many sections of highways, including the 15, 20 and 40. In the evening, the Louis-Hippolyte-La Fontaine bridge was also closed in both directions.
The Montreal Fire Department said it was “overwhelmed” Friday evening, with 90 of its trucks still deployed across the city to respond to flooded areas.
PHOTO CHARLES WILLIAM PELLETIER, SPECIAL COLLABORATION
Significant amounts of water have accumulated on several sections of road in Montreal.
Damaged houses
“We lost everything,” Khalid Farooq exclaimed Friday afternoon as he surveyed the damage caused by the flooding in the basement of his home on Henri-Bourassa Boulevard in Saint-Laurent. The dirty water, which was two feet high just hours earlier, damaged everything in its path, from furniture to the dryer.
Around noon, the Fire Department came to pump out the water that had entered Khalid Farooq’s basement and that of many residents on the boulevard. “But the smell is still there, we are trying to clean the dirt as best we can,” he added.
PHOTO DOMINICK GRAVEL, THE PRESS
Khalid Farooq’s children help clean the sewage-soaked basement.
The torrential rains of July 10 had already caused a first flood at Khalid Farooq’s house, who was dreading Friday’s rains. “In total, we lost at least $50,000 worth of belongings: computers, video games, clothes… and the insurance only covers part of it,” he said.
Standing in their garage, Passy*, Georges* and their four children watched helplessly as water flooded their home for the second time that day. “How am I supposed to live with this?” the mother exclaimed, exasperated.
PHOTO DOMINICK GRAVEL, THE PRESS
“It happens to us every year that we are flooded when there is heavy rain,” Georges said.
The sewer in front of their garage, apparently clogged, was failing to hold back the flow. In about fifteen minutes, the water rose to nearly three feet. “It happens to us every year to be flooded when there is heavy rain,” Georges said.
“We pay taxes, we pay taxes, the City must do something to help us,” said Passy.
PHOTO DOMINICK GRAVEL, THE PRESS
Passy crosses the street to move his car, which risks being swallowed up by the water.
According to Mary*, a neighbour of Georges and Passy whose house was also flooded, the sewer system on Henri-Bourassa Boulevard is to blame. The mother lost belongings in the flood, including children’s toys, food and her wedding photos. “It puts a strain on my mental health,” she adds. “Now I’m going to be stressed every time it rains a little more than usual.”
Numerous consequences
Many regions of Quebec were also hit by the deluge: the Sainte-Anne-de-Bellevue region received 173 mm of rain, and 130 mm fell on L’Assomption, according to Environment Canada.
In the Laurentians, roads were heavily damaged by the rain, including Route 321 in Nominingue, according to images published on social networks by residents.
The Sûreté du Québec (SQ) has not reported any major collisions on the road network.
The Société de transport de Montréal (STM) said it had to deal with “some delays” on its bus network due to the accumulation of water, in an email sent to La Presse. Rerouting has been put in place for buses traveling in areas most affected by the rain.
Dozens of domestic and international flights arriving or departing from Montreal-Trudeau airport have been cancelled or delayed due to heavy rainfall, according to the airport authority.
PHOTO DOMINICK GRAVEL, THE PRESS
Several events have also been cancelled due to torrential rain. The Fierté Montréal festival has notably cancelled its outdoor activities, such as the 100% Drag evening. The Cigale festival in Quebec City has also cancelled its Friday night show.
Showers are still expected in Montreal this Saturday, warns Julien Chartrand, stating however that “the system has weakened considerably.” The remnants of Debby are now heading towards eastern Quebec, where they will however hit less hard than in Montreal, according to the meteorologist.
PHOTO CHARLES WILLIAM PELLETIER, SPECIAL COLLABORATION
The remains of Debby were expected to reach New Brunswick Friday evening and dump up to 40 millimetres of rain through Saturday morning.
The storm made its first landfall in Florida on Monday with Category 1 strength before continuing northward.
At least seven people have died in the United States in connection with the passage of Debby.
* These people preferred to give their first name only, because they hold positions in the civil service.