Waters rise again in Rigaud, more flooding in central Quebec

Road collapse in Mille Isles Two people were caught when the road buckled underneath them

About 300 homes in Rigaud are likely to be badly damaged by rising floodwaters this week, two weeks after hundreds of residents had to leave their homes because of rising water levels.

The town of Rigaud declared a state of emergency on April 20 as it ordered evacuations and offered to provide emergency shelter for the residents of more than 500 homes.

More than 30 people have still not been able to return home as the water levels dropped over the past two weeks.

But the heavy rain that fell Monday night, along with the increasing snowmelt, is once again threatening the structural integrity of houses near the river.

"It's at a point where you cannot pump the basement anymore," said Mayor Hans Gruenwald Jr. "You have no choice but to be subject to the effects of the water and if it's inside the living area this is a serious effect as far as we're concerned."

The flooding has contaminated drinking water and carried sewage into homes.

Rigaud is offering a 24-hour shuttle service for anyone who needs to leave their house.

The town also has an additional 6,000 sandbags ready for distribution and pickup, although that may not be enough to protect homes in low-lying areas.

“I think we’re more discouraged this time than last time,” said resident Louise de Lafontaine.

Nerves frayed, she said she’s tired of all the water.

“I’m so discouraged. All we see is darkness,” she said, adding they need a break from the rain.

Road gives way

The heavy rain is the probable cause of a road giving way in Mille-Isles, in the Laurentians.

A driver and his passenger had quite the shock around 10 p.m. Monday night when the road gave way. They managed to safely abandon their car and call 911.

Authorities have closed the road in the area, and there is instead a five-kilometre detour.

No nearby homes had to be evacuated.

“The engineers came today to make some recommendations, so we’re waiting for all those recommendations to be ready to see all the work we have to do here,” said Genevieve Laforest, spokesperson for Transport Quebec. “What’s important for now is the safety of everyone.”

A small stream runs underneath this section of the road.

Transport Quebec hasn't yet determined how it will safely remove the car from the road.

Heavy rain in central Quebec

The area around Shawinigan received more than five centimetres of rain from Sunday evening to Tuesday morning, and it's causing a lot of damage.

Public Security Minister Martin Coiteux visited Shawinigan on Tuesday, where he asked citizens to be patient.

"I think the next few days are not going to be days when things are going to improve right away," said Coiteux.

People are sandbagging frantically trying to save their homes.

“I don’t have energy to be worried,” said one resident. “We’re in a battle.”

He said the water levels in the area are quite high and will remain high for at least another week.

Several roads have been washed out and sinkholes have formed very quickly.

Adding to the stress, some residents have been told their insurance policies don’t cover floods for people living near water. Coiteux reiterated that the province has programs to help those residents, but would not elaborate on the amount of any aid.

Two Sureté du Quebec officers were hurt Tuesday when their patrol car fell into a sinkhole in Sainte-Genevieve-de-Batiscan near Trois-Rivieres.