Sole bridge to Ile-Mercier closes but some residents remain

Extended: Ferrying supplies to Ile-Mercier Jean-Francois Avoine explains why he's using his motorboat to bring supplies to people stranded on Ile-Mercier.

The lone bridge to the small island of Ile Mercier was shuttered on Saturday morning as water flooded the deck.

The decision to close the bridge comes a day after island residents were ordered to leave their homes.

"We asked them to leave the island, because we cannot respond with our fire trucks if there's a fire on the island," said Montreal fire department chief Bruno Lachance. "For their security, we asked them to leave. We want their cooperation, but we won't go by force."

The island in the middle of the Riviere des Prairies, adjacent to Ile Bizard, is frequently at risk of flooding in springtime.

The only road connection to the outside world is a low-lying bridge that was frequently partially submerged throughout April.

Resident Jean-Francois Avoine began ferrying sandbags, food, fuel and medical supplies to his neighbours with his motorboat on Friday and said he expects to keep going until Monday.

"I'm working for the people," he said. "I grew up here, so I know a lot of the people. It's for free."

Several residents had abandoned their homes earlier this week at the urging of city officials, but the rest were holding out in an attempt to safeguard their homes and belongings.

Stephanie Ducette said the past two weeks have been rough, with not enough sandbags to defend her family's property.

"I don't understand how it got to this point where everyone's flooding," she said. "Rigaud has been flooded since the end of March. How could you not figure out this would happen at some point?"

Now the borough of Ile Bizard is telling residents to get out while it is still possible, warning them that if they remain, emergency crews cannot get to them safely at a later time.

Fire department operations chief Martin Guilbault said about half the residents of the small island were staying put.

"People who decided to stay there, they're fighing against nature right now. So they have to use pumps, they have to use generators, but some people don't have pumps, don't have generators, that's why they evacuated. They said 'okay, I have to leave, that's it.'"

For now, 60 firefighters are working in the flood zones 24 hours a day making daily rounds to ensure residents are safe.

Montreal Mayor Denis Coderre said he understands people’s desire to stay in their homes.

“I understand their frustration. It's their property, there are several issues you can understand, but you have to also protect their life,” he said, adding that there comes a point when people have to face facts.

In his statement, Goodale echoed those sentiments, saying, "I strongly encourage impacted residents to follow the directions and advice of their municipal law enforcement and first responders."

Borough Mayor Normand Marinacci said the last time the island was flooded this much was in 1998.

Water levels through southern Quebec are expected to rise considerably with up to 50 mm of rain forecast for Montreal in the next few days, and up to 60 mm of rain for the Ottawa and Gatineau Valley.

Ile Bizard has set up emergency shelter with space for 72 people as flooding is also happened on the western and northern part of the island as water rises in Lake of Two Mountains.