Spring flooding risks persist across Quebec as cooler weather helps limit damage for now

A flooded street in Laval, April 17, 2026. (The Canadian Press/Christinne Muschi)

Several municipalities continue to monitor the risk of spring flooding, but cooler temperatures and lower-than-forecast precipitation in some areas have helped avoid the worst for now.

By around 10:45 a.m. Sunday, authorities were reporting six moderate floods in the province, 30 minor floods and 17 bodies of water under surveillance.

Moderate flooding was reported in Fort-Coulonge and Lac-Saint-Paul in the Outaouais, as well as in Sainte-Émilie-de-l’Énergie and Rawdon in Lanaudière, along with the Quebec City region.

Environment Canada issued a storm surge warning late Sunday morning for Quebec City. The department expects higher-than-normal water levels near the coast Monday morning at high tide.

In Gatineau, Mayor Maude Marquis-Bissonnette and the city’s director of civil security, Denis Doucet, provided an update late Sunday morning. They said 164 homes were under surveillance.

“The situation is under control right now. We know it well. Unfortunately, the organization is well practised for this type of event,” Marquis-Bissonnette said at a news conference. “We’re encouraging people to prepare adequately.”

Doucet said water levels are expected to peak Monday before stabilizing over the course of next week.

“The unknown is the second week, but we’re going to be vulnerable for the next two weeks because we’ll remain at high levels, and the snow in the North will arrive at some point,” he said.

This report by The Canadian Press was first published in French on April 19, 2026.