Due to the spring freshet, Montréal is entering its Intervention Mode as part of their special response plan (PPI) in order to mobilize more material, financial and human resources to help residents of the following at-risk areas:
Intervention Mode means that there is a heightened risk of flooding, and coordination with civil security is ensuing. Linked are each municipality and borough's resource page, or social media accounts to stay in the loop.
Île-aux-Tourtes Bridge view of Lac des Deux Montagnes on April 17th.
Actions taken at this time
Local intervention measures include distributing sandbags, building dikes, and installing inflatable plugs and pumps in flood-risk areas. Montréal states that they continue to monitor water levels and flows in order to adapt all actions as needed.
How do I know if I live in a flood zone area?
All neighbourhoods and residences that have been flooded by the rivière des Prairies, the phreatic table, or the subsoil in 2017 or 2019 are likely to experience spring floods again. You should consider yourself in a flood-prone area and take the necessary measures to protect your belongings and property.
Consult this map to find out if you live in an at-risk zone.
How can you protect your home and belongings in case of flooding?
Before a flood:
Put together an emergency kit with basic items that will enable your family to be self-sufficient for 72 hours, and to evacuate your home if need be.
Make an emergency plan.
Put important documents and other items in a waterproof container and keep it on a higher floor.
Install a submersible pump and check valves in the basement. An inspector can come to your house and tell you if the plumbing installed to drain your home is appropriate. Call 311 to find out how to arrange this.
When there is a risk of water infiltration:
Caulk or block doors and windows at ground level (always keep an emergency exit).
To prevent water from seeping in, build a sandbag wall or put sandbags at strategic locations. To find out how to build a sandbag wall, see the guide put out by Québec’s Organisation de la sécurité civile. Call 311 to find out about sandbags distributed by your borough.
Move your vehicle to a place where it is dry and safe.
Keep valuable items on a higher floor and raise furniture, electrical household appliances and hazardous materials up from floor level.
If it looks like water might reach your electrical panel, follow our instructions for quickly evacuating your home.
SOURCE Ville de Montréal - Cabinet de la mairesse et du comité exécutif
