It could be a while yet before flood-weary Quebecers get any real relief.
Provincial officials say water levels along the Richelieu River aren't expected to drop significantly until later this week, though the recent dry spell has helped conditions.
Yvan Leroux, regional director of Quebec's civil security service, says clear skies over the past two days has helped prevent the flooding from getting worse.
"The situation will be better and better for the next five days because we're expecting a lowering of [water] levels of two to four centimetres each day," Leroux told CTV on Sunday.
But the waters could rise again if the weather doesn't hold, he warned.
Some 3,000 homes have been flooded and 1,000 people have been evacuated from their homes along the river.
Another 100 soldiers were brought in this weekend to help residents with rescue efforts. Authorities have been going door-to-door to ensure safety of residents, many of whom are using propane generators.
About 800 troops are now helping with sandbagging and evacuation efforts in the region area that stretches south from Montreal all the way to the American border. Soldiers are also using inflatable boats to rescue stranded residents.
Two people were brought to hospital on Friday for smoke-inhalation from breathing the exhaust of pumps.
Leroux noted that on rare occasions, residents can be forced to evacuate, though that is a last-ditch effort.
"We don't want to go to that level," he said, but "when they're really, really in danger the ministerial authority can obtain a forced evacuation order."
The Red Cross has announced the creation of a special fund to compliment government assistance programs, offering shelter and other aid to those most affected.
Melting snow, combined with a week of steady rain, is blamed for the flooding. And now there's growing concern about rising flood waters in parts of central Quebec.
With files from the Canadian Press
