West Island faces flood aftermath as thousands remain without power

Residents from Montreal’s West Island are facing the aftermath of flash flooding that struck several areas on Saturday, leaving hundreds of residents with flooded homes and many without power.

Environment Canada told CTV News on Sunday that areas such as Pierrefonds-Roxboro, Dollard-des-Ormeaux and Pointe-Claire were among the hardest hit by the flooding, receiving approximately 150 millimetres of rain in a short period of time.

• READ MORE: Montreal under another severe thunderstorm watch following Saturday’s flash floods

Some areas of the South Shore and Laval also saw up to 150 millimetres of rain on Saturday.

More than 21,000 customers were without power in the West Island on Saturday evening following a severe thunderstorm watch issued for the Greater Montreal area.

Montreal police closed several roads in the area to help prevent further damage and flooding, but told CTV News Sunday morning that those roads have since been reopened and officers were cleared from the scene at 2 a.m.

The severe thunderstorm watch was reissued on Sunday.

About 12 residents trapped in cars

The Montreal fire department began receiving calls about flooding around 3 p.m. on Saturday, according to division chief Martin Guilbault. He says crews continued responding to calls until 3 a.m.

They received about 1,200 calls on the flood, with around 800 of them coming from the boroughs of Pierrefonds-Roxboro and Dollard-des-Ormeaux, Guilbault said.

• READ MORE: Severe flooding hits the West Island; over 20,000 without power, roads closed by police

Around 25 firetrucks were dispatched to these regions. Eleven remain onsite. Guilbault says firefighters rescued about 12 individuals trapped in their cars. No injuries have been reported.

Four families were temporarily placed in a shelter due to flooding, but have since returned home.

Guilbault says about 300 basements were flooded.

Mobilizing efforts underway

Jim Beis, the borough mayor of Montreal’s Pierrefonds-Roxboro, said at a press conference Sunday that the borough has begun mobilizing resources for residents who have been impacted.

“We want to ensure that the public is safe and secure and reassured that we’re there to provide the services needed to the public,” he said.

Beis encouraged residents to visit the borough’s website for more information on how to respond to flooding.

Benoit Langevin, city councillor of Montreal’s Pierrefonds-Roxboro told CTV News in an email that seniors, pregnant women or those with limited mobility who are unable to clear out their basements due to flooding should email [e-mail].

He wrote that those who would like to lend a hand by helping move items out of the basements of those affected by flooding should also email.

“If you can, please check on your neighbours. Now is the time,” he wrote.

‘Working through the night’

“We’ve been working through the night to ensure everyone was responded to,” he told CTV News.

Guilbault advises residents affected by flooding to shut off their home’s electrical panel. He says a certified electrician should verify the electrical system is safe before it is turned on.

Power was preemptively shut off in some areas due to heavy rainfall that caused localized flooding and water accumulation to ensure public safety, Hydro-Québec told CTV News.

“With water levels now having receded, Hydro‑Québec has begun restoring service, which will continue progressively throughout the morning, as crews ensure conditions are safe on the ground, including inside residences," said Paule Veilleux-Turcotte, a spokesperson for Hydro-Québec.

Airport operations return to normal

A lightning alert, triggered by severe weather conditions, temporarily halted ground operations on the apron on Saturday. The alert was lifted in the evening.

A spokesperson for the YUL Montreal–Trudeau Airport confirmed to CTV News in an email Sunday morning that operations have returned to normal.