SHERBROOKE – More than 600 people have been evacuated from their homes after a flood alert was issued for Sherbrooke due to rising water.
The Saint-François River has already risen to more than 7.5 meters – more than four times its normal level.
The reason the current is moving so fast is because of chunks of ice – some of them as large as cars – that are barreling down the river at high speeds.
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The Red Cross is working quickly to assist all the families affected and has set up a community reception centre in downtown Sherbrooke.
Around 115 people have already been placed in a hotel outside of the downtown core.
City officials have spoken out, saying their efforts to avoid an evacuation were stopped due to freezing temperatures overnight and icy roads.
Most parts of downtown Sherbrooke have been closed by police because of the extreme flooding, including a municipal garage on Grandes-Fourches street and ramps to both Grande-Fourches and Frontenac streets.
The city of Sherbrooke has created an interactive map to update residents on road closures.
Some restaurants have even lost power.
Bishop’s University and Champlain-Lennoxville are also closed for the day as a result of the flooding.
Bishop’s school has cancelled all end-of-year exams until further notice.
School officials are monitoring water levels around the university, because it is so close to the Massawippi River, which is no stranger to spring flooding.
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Environment Canada has issued rainfall warnings in a number of regions, including the Eastern Townships, Beauce, the Laurentides, Quebec City and the Richelieu Valley.
For more information on the floods and evacuation notices, the city of Sherbrooke is encouraging residents to call 819-821-1928.
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