Montreal declares state of emergency as flooding persists

Sandbagging was underway on 1st Avenue in Terrasse-Vaudreuil on Sunday afternoon. Major flooding is occurring close to the shoreline and onto Île Sunset. SQ Police and Terrasse-Vaudreuil Firefighters were on scene. The same is true on the other side of Highway 20 in Pincourt. (Photo Valley Weather)

Flood Warning remains in effect for Montreal.

As flood waters continue to rise around the Island of Montreal, the city has declared a state of emergency, effective immediately, for at least the next 48 hours. A state of emergency is also in effect for Laval. Major flooding is occurring in municipalities around the Lake of Two Mountains, as well as Vaudreuil Bay and Riviere des Prairies. The water has risen over 10cm in the last 24 hours in Pierrefonds, and is expected rise even more over the next 36 hours. Evacuations have been ordered on portions of Ile Bizard as well as Ile Cadieux and Ile Mercier. Flooding has also spread onto Ile Perrot, including Terrasse-Vaudreuil and Pincourt. Sandbagging is underway across the region. Over 1000 residents have been asked to evacuate. Nearly 1200 Canadian Armed Forces Troops have been deployed to assist residents and emergency personal. Numerous roads are closed, including Pierrefonds, Gouin and Saint John`s Boulevard. Police were also blocking roads to a section of Terasse Vaudreuil, south of Highway 20 near Boulevard Perrot, and in parts of Pincourt.

Heavy rain falls on a flooded street in Rigaud on Saturday. (Ville de Riguad via Facebook)

Since the start of the month, 70mm of rain has fallen on Montreal, with even more north and west of the city. This followed the wettest April on record for the city, as well as several late season snowstorms. Major flooding is also occurring along the Ottawa River from Gatineau to Montreal. The forecast calls for cool, showery weather through at least Wednesday.