The formation of ice jams concerned

Antoine Lacroix

Monday, February 19, 2018 23:20

UPDATE
Monday, February 19, 2018 23:20

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The monitoring of water courses to the south and west of Quebec will be repeated on Tuesday and Wednesday due to the thaw and precipitation expected, that could create ice jams and cause flooding.

“We called on the municipalities that are at risk of show to watch and follow the evolution of the situation. We asked the cities to put in place the measures they deem necessary in order to react if there are overflows, ” said Thomas Blanchet, a spokesman for civil security of the ministry of public Security.

Photo courtoisieThomas Blanchet, spokesman for civil security

Amounts of rain of 20 to 30 millimetres are expected until Wednesday. Also note that the mercury will rise up to 10 degrees Celsius.

“With the melting of the snow, which will lead to runoff into water courses, this will be the equivalent of 40 to 60 millimeters, says Pierre Corbin, director of operations at Hydro Weather. The danger will not be the flood, but the formation of ice jams. “

Eve debacle

According to the expert surveillance of rivers, the areas most at risk are those near the borders in usa and ontario, more specifically in the Beauce, the eastern Townships, the Montérégie and the Outaouais.

“Eve of disaster is in force for the rivers Chateauguay, Pike and Acadia. But it is a situation that will evolve hour by hour, to follow closely, ” says Corbin, adding that the rivières Richelieu, Yamaska, Coaticook, Saint-François will also be monitored.

According to him, the situation could be similar to what has been observed in mid-January, when there was a thaw.

Ice jams that had formed on several rivers in Quebec and had flooded areas of the cities of Bécancour, Beauport and Cookshire-Eaton. Dozens of homes had been affected.

Staff available

“The citizens who live in the vicinity of water courses should be vigilant. At the slightest concern, they should report it to local authorities, ” said Thomas Blanchet, a spokesman for the public Safety.

He adds that the staff “was placed in readiness to help municipalities” in case of need.