As Quebecers brace for heavy rain, local authorities across the province are warning residents to be ready for major flooding this weekend.
After launching emergency measures, the City of Rigaud is asking residents to be prepared to leave.
“We are ready to act,” said Rigaud Mayor Hans Gruenwald, adding that the situation is evolving rapidly.
The move comes as warm weather sets in and Environment Canada forecasts heavy rainfall for Friday and Saturday.
READ MORE: Rigaud launches emergency measures as Quebec cities, towns brace for flooding
Local authorities have asked shoreline residents in both Rigaud and Pointe-Fortune, located about 80 kilometres west of Montreal, to leave their homes within 24 hours.
While some residents are busy building a makeshift flood wall, Gruenwald said the city will not provide sandbags to residents because there is “no use.”
“I can’t stress enough the magnitude of the situation,” said Gruenwald.
As Quebec cities and towns brace for flooding this weekend, authorities are asking waterfront residents to secure their homes and prepare a 72-hour emergency kit.
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In the Montérégie, Vaudreuil-Dorion is launching emergency flood measures. The municipality of Terrasse-Vaudreuil also warns residents that rising floodwaters could mirror those of 2017.
In Montreal, city officials and the local fire department are doing door-to-door visits in Ahuntsic-Cartierville to ensure people are ready to act if flooding hits their area.
In Laval, authorities are giving out sandbags to residents as the water from the Rivière des Mille Îles begins to spill onto streets.
Quebec urges residents to listen
Quebec Public Security Minister Geneviève Guilbault is also urging people in regions at risk of flooding not to take any chances and to follow the advice of civil security officials.
Citizens in at-risk municipalities should leave their homes if they are asked to do so, she added.
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In Beauceville, located about 90 kilometres south of Quebec City, rising floodwaters from the Chaudière River forced dozens of people to leave their homes.
The town is bracing for the worst as Environment Canada says between 25 to 50 millimetres of rain could fall through Saturday.
— With files from Global News’ Billy Shields and the Canadian Press