Cars were submerged in floodwaters and more than 10,000 homes lost power in the West Island as thunderstorms swept across the Montreal region Saturday evening. One resident was even seen navigating a flooded street in a canoe.
An order for an emergency power shutdown, affecting customers mostly in the Dollard-des-Ormeaux area, began shortly before 6 p.m., according to Hydro-Québec. “The ongoing outage in Dollard-des-Ormeaux stems from an interruption requested by emergency services due to floods in the area. However, Hydro-Québec’s facilities are not affected.”
About 14,000 addresses in the Dollard-des-Ormeaux are affected, the utility said. “Service will be reinstated once emergency teams have given their green light, possibly during the evening,” it added.
Online, residents shared photos and videos showing significant flooding near Pierrefonds Blvd., including vehicles partially submerged in water on flooded streets.
“Avoid Pierrefonds if you can,” one user wrote on Facebook.
So far, no injuries had been reported as of Saturday evening, according to Montreal police. Officers were still establishing a perimeter in parts of Pierrefonds for residents to avoid. The flooded area, however, was continuing to expand through the evening.
The power loss came as thunderstorms developed across parts of the Montreal region on Saturday afternoon.
Environment and Climate Change Canada issued a weather warning just past 4:30 p.m. for parts of western Laval and Montreal’s West Island, including Île-Bizard, Pierrefonds and Dorval.
Meteorologists said showers and thunderstorms were moving slowly through the area, increasing the risk of significant rainfall over locations already saturated by recent precipitation.
“The ground has a reduced ability to absorb the rain,” the agency said in its warning.
Some of the storms were expected to produce strong wind gusts and hail, forecasters said.
Heavy rain can cause flash flooding and significantly reduce visibility, Environment Canada warned, as well damage to roofs, fences, trees and temporary structures was also possible.
The Gazette has reached out to Hydro-Québec, but did not receive a response before publication.
Were you affected? Write to me at hnorth@postmedia.com
I’ve been writing for the Montreal Gazette since 2023. My favourite stories are ones that make you think and I’m always looking for new ways to tell them. At McGill, I studied economics and computer science. Now I live in the city’s Plateau, where I wear Doc Martens to try and blend in among the hipsters. Got a story? Email me.
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