More than 2,000 homes damaged by flooding and still 53 roads affected on Wednesday morning, after the remnants of Tropical Storm Debby came through Quebec last Friday and left several areas of the province in a state of emergency.
Quebec’s Public Security Minister François Bonnardel toured some of the worst hit areas.
At a press conference in Sainte-Julienne, Bonnardel said that 34 municipalities were affected by Debby and 348 homes are currently isolated.
“The situation has been improving since Sunday night,” said Bonnardel. “Over 2,000 homes were damaged by flooding over the weekend. Nearly 400 people were working on the ground to restore power with Hydro-Québec. The [Quebec Transport Ministry, the MTQ] is working hard to restore infrastructure and reopen the roads.”
Around 163 millimetres of rain fell on the town of 12,000 residents last week, in just a few hours.
There are also 38 flooded homes out of the 2,300 that were hit hard by the storm.
In addition, out of the 464 people who were evacuated, 24 remain isolated.
Several roads in have been destroyed in Sainte-Julienne, located 85 kilometres northeast of Montreal including on Saint-Francois Street.
They’ve been working on alternate routes to help those stranded and isolated.
“I know it is extremely difficult for many citizens who have lost everything and who have to rely on their private insurance,” said Bonnardel.
Highway 125 going into Sainte-Julienne was closed, but has since reopened to alternating traffic, and part of Highway 337 remains closed for an indefinite period due to erosion.
On Sunday, the provincial government announced financial aid would be available to certain municipalities, its residents, and businesses, impacted by the flooding.
Bonnardel was accompanied by the Tourism Minister Caroline Proulx and Rousseau MNA Louis-Charles Thouin.
