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Water levels on local rivers will likely peak Monday in Gatineau, Que., as officials continue to keep close watch on flooding, the city says.
In a Sunday morning update, Mayor Maude Marquis-Bissonnette said the city now estimates that 164 buildings and 41 roads are at risk of flooding.
On Friday, the city said 119 buildings and 33 roads were at risk.
“We anticipate the water to come to touch the houses, so there could be infiltration inside … it’s very important for citizens to get ready,” she said.
According to Saturday’s update from the Ottawa River Regulation Planning Board, water levels and flows are still rising along the river’s main stem due to both melting snow and runoff from rainfall.
The board says minor flood levels have already been exceeded in the most prone areas between Pembroke, Ont., and Carillon, Que., and that major flooding could be seen in the days ahead.
The board is expected to give another update later Sunday afternoon.
Flooding can be seen near homes on Hurtubise Street in the Gatineau sector on Sunday. (Frédéric Pepin/Radio-Canada)
Marquis-Bissonnette added that water levels are not expected to rise above the levels seen during flooding in 2023, and that the city is not recommending that residents leave their homes.
However, evacuations have been underway in other communities in Quebec — including in Mansfield-et-Pontefract, Que., which sits along the Coulonge River, about 120 kilometres northwest of downtown Gatineau.
Around 70 people had been evacuated, Mayor Sandra Armstrong told Radio-Canada on Sunday.
Flood situation ‘manageable’
In neighbouring Fort-Coulonge, Mayor Pierre Cyr said they were building “sand dykes” on one of the village’s main streets and covering manholes with sand to protect the sewage system.
“The flood is not under control, but it’s manageable,” Cyr said. “We’re close to historic levels … but the [rate of increase] is slowing. We’re expecting that we’ll be able to avoid damages like we had in 2019.”
The situation in Fort-Coulonge, Que., on Sunday remained ‘manageable,’ said Mayor Pierre Cyr. (Félix Pilon/Radio-Canada)
Environment Canada had issued rainfall warnings in western Quebec, with up to 25 millimetres of rain in the weekend forecast. They have since been lifted.
But Marquis-Bissonnette said flooding could still remain a threat, especially since water levels are expected to remain high for the next two weeks.
“We’ve seen with the weather that depending on how warm it is outside, [how much rain is falling], those things can change,” she said.
There are currently four sandbag pickup locations in Gatineau, including at Lac Beauchamp Park, where the city is now allowing flatbed trucks.
Heavy machinery and non-standard vehicles are still not permitted at other locations, the city said.