By Canadian Press

Quebec officials warn of possible dam failure on Rouge River, affecting 250 people

Apr 25, 2019 | 5:03 PM

MONTREAL — Quebec public security officials called for the immediate evacuation of an area along the Rouge River downstream of Chute Bell on Thursday because of a risk of dam failure.

The largely rural section of river affected is in Quebec’s Lower Laurentians region, stretching about 18 kilometres south to the Ottawa River.

An alert was issued at 3:36 p.m. Thursday calling on people in the area to avoid river valleys and low-lying areas.

Quebec provincial police tweeted they were helping about 250 people get clear of the affected area as a preventive measure.

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Hydro-Quebec added through social media that its Chute Bell dam had reached its maximum level and the utility recommended that public security officials evacuate about 50 residences in the area.

The public utility said that after joining up with the Ottawa River, the flow would have minimal impact on locations downstream.

The dam failure alert will be maintained until 11:45 p.m. Thursday, according to the Quebec public security website.

Quebec Premier Francois Legault tweeted those at risk had been advised and provincial authorities are keeping close tabs on the situation in a tweet.

The warning comes as many parts of Quebec have been hit by flooding. Officials say the flood risk remains high because of a combination of precipitation in the forecast and melting snow to the north.

On Thursday, Public Security Minister Genevieve Guilbault toured the Lachute area, northwest of Montreal, where flood waters on the Riviere du Nord have risen in recent days.

She said she was impressed with the level of preparation in smaller communities and was satisfied that the number of people on the ground working on flood relief — which includes nearly 1,000 Canadian soldiers — was sufficient.

Guilbault added she wouldn’t hesitate to ask for more help if necessary.

Quebec public security officials said more than 2,500 homes were flooded and more than 2,100 were isolated Thursday, meaning they were considered cut off due to washed out roads or landslides.

Authorities also warned specifically against landslides reported in various parts of the province.

One person has died since widespread flooding began in the province.

In Montreal, officials raised the security level and increased the number of teams on the ground amid fears flooding could get worse in the coming days but stressed the situation was under control.

“You’re going to see more firefighters, you’re going to see more police officers and more municipal workers to help for floods that could come this weekend,” said Martin Guilbault, operations chief of the Montreal fire department.

Mayor Valerie Plante warned that anyone who was flooded in 2017 should prepare their homes for more flooding — and possible evacuation — if they haven’t done so.

“The threat is actually very concrete and direct and this is the message we want to send the entire population,” she said.

Environment Canada issued a rainfall warning for Montreal with 30 to 50 millimetres expected Friday and Saturday.

Rain is expected to begin southern Quebec midday Friday and intensify overnight, spreading eastward.

In Ottawa, Mayor Jim Watson declared a state of emergency Thursday afternoon, calling in the Canadian Forces to help with flood protection.

The Canadian Press