The Gleaner
Société
"This is an exceptional year. It's definitely a bad sign."
le mardi 27 février 2018
Modifié à 14 h 06 min le 27 février 2018
A number of municipalities in the Haut-Saint-Laurent benefit from a drop in temperature and for now avoid the flooding that appears to be inevitable.
A trek around the Haut-Saint-Laurent on Thursday, February 22 revealed that some residents suffered serious water damage and others will not be able to escape a future that almost appears preplanned.
In Huntingdon, a resident living beside the Chateauguay River deplored the situation and admitted realizing that in the coming days rain and high temperatures will be lord and master. "In the past, we experienced this problem around the end of March," the man recounted. "This is an exceptional year. It's definitely a bad sign. Fortunately, quite a few shoreline residents are ready to deal with the situation."
[caption id="attachment_44675" align="alignnone" width="521"]
(Photo Pierre Langevin)[/caption]
In Athelstan, ice jams took over the fields and properties of some residents. Elsewhere, an excavator was used to free up roads. Water was also dominant. The Lost Nation and Powerscourt Roads were under water in several places making it difficult to drive. When the Journal Saint-François was passing through the area, one man was busy pumping water out of his home. The man, who clearly had no time for an interview, appeared determined to limit the damage by using two pumps to remove the water from his house.
Around Trout River, the situation was not any better. Water and several mounds of ice were blocking Watson Road near the Trout River Golf Club.
The Municipality of Dundee was definitely the most affected that day. On the chemin de la Vieille douane, four houses had to be evacuated. A neighbour indicated that Emergency Services and the Mayor had intervened. "The occupants of these houses are in a hotel," confirmed the neighbour who, at the time, refused to be concerned. "When it rains combined with rising temperatures, there is nothing we can do. Even if you want to, there is no way to avoid flooding. This year, the water rose at the beginning of January but without doing any damage. If the temperature drops a bit, it will go back down. The water level has already dropped eight inches in a few hours. Let's just hope that the rain holds off for a little while."
At the Huntingdon Riding headquarters, MNA Stéphane Billette's political assistant, Jean-Pierre McKenzie, indicated that he was in contact with the municipalities affected by the flooding. "Once again, today, I did a tour of the municipalities and met with the Mayor of Dundee. I can confirm that Emergencies Services are at work in the Haut-Saint-Laurent."
Translated by Cathleen Johnston
[caption id="attachment_44676" align="alignnone" width="521"]
(Photo Pierre Langevin)[/caption]
(Photo Pierre Langevin)[/caption]
In Athelstan, ice jams took over the fields and properties of some residents. Elsewhere, an excavator was used to free up roads. Water was also dominant. The Lost Nation and Powerscourt Roads were under water in several places making it difficult to drive. When the Journal Saint-François was passing through the area, one man was busy pumping water out of his home. The man, who clearly had no time for an interview, appeared determined to limit the damage by using two pumps to remove the water from his house.
Around Trout River, the situation was not any better. Water and several mounds of ice were blocking Watson Road near the Trout River Golf Club.
The Municipality of Dundee was definitely the most affected that day. On the chemin de la Vieille douane, four houses had to be evacuated. A neighbour indicated that Emergency Services and the Mayor had intervened. "The occupants of these houses are in a hotel," confirmed the neighbour who, at the time, refused to be concerned. "When it rains combined with rising temperatures, there is nothing we can do. Even if you want to, there is no way to avoid flooding. This year, the water rose at the beginning of January but without doing any damage. If the temperature drops a bit, it will go back down. The water level has already dropped eight inches in a few hours. Let's just hope that the rain holds off for a little while."
At the Huntingdon Riding headquarters, MNA Stéphane Billette's political assistant, Jean-Pierre McKenzie, indicated that he was in contact with the municipalities affected by the flooding. "Once again, today, I did a tour of the municipalities and met with the Mayor of Dundee. I can confirm that Emergencies Services are at work in the Haut-Saint-Laurent."
Translated by Cathleen Johnston
[caption id="attachment_44676" align="alignnone" width="521"] (Photo Pierre Langevin)[/caption]