The cities of Joliette and Saint-Jean-sur-Richelieu were particularly affected by the thunderstorms that crossed southern Quebec on Friday afternoon. The torrential rains caused the evacuation of a shopping center and sewer backups.
In Joliette, in Lanaudière, between 100 and 120 millimeters of rain fell Friday afternoon, including 63 millimeters in one hour, indicates Dominic Morin, meteorologist for Environment Canada. On the side of Saint-Jean-sur-Richelieu, in Montérégie, a hundred millimeters of rain were recorded, of which 70 fell in one hour.
By comparison, in Montreal and other cities where a single line of showers passed, between 20 and 40 millimeters of rain fell.
On social networks, photos and videos of flooded roads, parking lots and basements quickly appeared. We see cars advancing with water up to the gates and parking lots transformed into a lake. In Saint-Jean-sur-Richelieu, a family took the opportunity to paddle board in the street.
PHOTO FROM JULIE CHICOINE’S FACEBOOK PAGE
A man paddleboards in a flooded street in Saint-Jean-sur-Richelieu.
“The sewer systems are not able to take in as much rain as quickly, which creates backups or accumulations on the roads,” explains Morin.
Police officers from the Sûreté du Québec had to intervene for immobilized vehicles due to the accumulation of water, confirmed Camille Savoie, spokesperson for the police force. In Saint-Paul, a municipality around Joliette, several vehicles got stuck in the water on Boulevard des Industries.
The police were also called to intervene in Notre-Dame-des-Prairies and Crabtree, two municipalities around Joliette, for cars unable to move forward, adds Mme Savoy.
“The intense rains this afternoon left their mark in several places on the territory, indicated the City of Joliette on its Facebook page. Our team is on the ground to intervene. We estimate 110 mm of rain, including 90 mm in less than two hours, which is exceptional! The municipal network should allow most situations to resolve quickly. We thank you for your collaboration. »
The feet in water
Eric Champagne and his wife were at Galeries Joliette, a shopping center on Firestone Boulevard, when the rain started. “The water was backing up inside, there were some everywhere in the Galeries Joliette, describes Mr. Champagne on the phone. We got evacuated and when we got outside there was 10 inches of water and even more water in the yard. »
People took off their shoes to go to their cars, he reports. Some vehicles ended up with water in the engine, unable to move forward. The couple, who live in Saint-Damien, 45 kilometers further north, managed to get out.
“It’s the first time I’ve seen it so intense! exclaims Mr. Champagne.
Still rain, but less
Showers are still expected tonight and tomorrow in southern Quebec, warns Mr. Morin.
Between 10 and 20 additional millimeters of rain are expected in Greater Montreal. Mauricie and Centre-du-Québec can expect 20 to 30 millimeters, including the showers already in progress.
Showers and thunderstorms are expected to continue Saturday in the province, but they will be less violent, according to the meteorologist.