Weather update: Severe thunderstorm warning with risk of hail

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Montrealers still recovering from Friday’s record rainfall got another blow Wednesday as Environment Canada issued a severe thunderstorm warning, saying heavy rainfall could accompany the afternoon’s thunderstorms.

“Environment Canada meteorologists are tracking a severe thunderstorm capable of producing strong wind gusts, up to nickel size hail and heavy rain,” it said in an alert issued at 4:03 p.m. “The cells will affect the eastern part of Montreal Island before reaching the south shore of the river.”

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Similar statements were issued for Laval, the north and south shores and areas around Trois-Rivières. Radar images showed small but intense storms approaching the city from north-northwest.

The Greater Montreal area received a record amount of rain Friday, with an accumulation of 150 millimetres within 24 hours, according to Environment Canada. The amount greatly exceeded the average of 94 mm for the area during the entire month of August.

Highway 13 remains closed

Flooding of the Dorval tunnel on Friday resulted in the closure of Highway 13 between Highway 40 and Highway 520. That closure was still in effect on Wednesday.

“The ministry expects to open it in the coming days,” said Gilles Payer, Transport Quebec spokesperson.

He explained that a pumping station in the tunnel was flooded and must be dried and repaired, and the tunnel drained up into the city’s sewer system before it can be reopened.

The electrical system was also damaged, so temporary lighting is being set up, Payer said.

“It may seem calm and like nothing is happening right now if you’re (there), but most of the work is invisible because the real challenge is to get these pumps back in shape,” he said. “When everything will be on duty and ready to go, they will start the pumping and it will be fast, we hope.”

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Quebec Public Security Minister François Bonnardel said he expects the highway will probably reopen Thursday morning.

86 municipalities affected

Bonnardel took stock on Wednesday of the damage caused by post-tropical storm Debby.

Five days after the torrential rains, 34 municipalities are still affected. That number stood at 86 on the weekend.

There are also 38 flooded residences out of 2,300 hit hard by the storm. Of the 464 people who were evacuated, 24 still are.

Fifty-three roads are also still affected, according to Bonnardel.

“I know that it is extremely difficult for many citizens who have lost everything and who have to resort to their private insurance,” he said.

The minister also has a message for private insurers: “Be present,” he said. “Respond, add additional staff, because people need answers, need to talk to someone.”

Bonnardel was speaking at a first news conference since the storm following his meeting with the mayors of the Montcalm MRC.

Worst since ice storm

On Wednesday, insurer Beneva compared the situation to the 1998 ice storm, when the number of claims exploded.

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Bonnardel pointed out that funds are available from the government for such emergencies; citizens must fill out a form on the website of the Ministry of Public Security.

As of Tuesday, 700 people had already done so, he said.

The government has also set aside more than $5.6 billion for municipalities to improve their infrastructure and combat riverbank erosion, he added.

“We are setting aside substantial amounts. Now, it is up to the municipalities to act and get these funds.”

Legault to visit Thursday

Minister of Tourism and Minister responsible for the Lanaudière region, Caroline Proulx, defended herself from having been absent from the media.

“It’s not because we don’t have continuous images on our social networks that we don’t have both feet on the ground,” she said.

Premier François Legault could go to Louiseville, in Mauricie, on Thursday to assess the damage.

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Meanwhile in Puerto Rico

Tropical Storm Ernesto was poised to become a hurricane shortly after brushing past Puerto Rico late Tuesday as officials closed schools, opened shelters and moved dozens of the U.S. territory’s endangered parrots into hurricane-proof rooms.

Ernesto is forecast to become a hurricane overnight as the centre of the storm moves just northeast of Puerto Rico on a path toward Bermuda. Forecasters issued a hurricane watch for the U.S. and British Virgin Islands as well as the tiny Puerto Rican islands of Vieques and Culebra, which are popular with tourists.

“Since there is some chance of Ernesto becoming a hurricane while it is near the Virgin Islands, a hurricane watch remains in effect,” the U.S. National Hurricane Center in Miami said.

The storm moved over the U.S. Virgin Islands on Tuesday night. After passing Puerto Rico, it is expected to move into open waters and be near Bermuda on Friday.

Ernesto is the fifth named storm of this year’s Atlantic hurricane season.

The National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration has predicted an above-average Atlantic hurricane season this year because of record warm ocean temperatures. It forecast 17 to 25 named storms, with four to seven major hurricanes of Category 3 or higher.

The Associated Press and Presse Canadienne contributed to this report.

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