Quebec Towns Prepare for New Flood Maps That Expand Risk Areas
Quebec municipalities are anxious as new flood zone maps reveal more properties at risk, raising concerns among residents and officials alike
Quebec, Montreal, Flooding, Ste-Marthe-sur-le-Lac, Pointe-Calumet
MONTREAL: So, there’s a bit of a storm brewing in Quebec. Some towns are getting ready for new flood maps that could put a lot more homes at risk. It’s got everyone on edge, especially after the floods they’ve already faced.
Take Ste-Marthe-sur-le-Lac, for example. Five years back, a dike broke and flooded the place, forcing over 6,000 folks to evacuate. Now, Mayor François Robillard is worried that the new maps will just add to the stress. He says people are shocked and frustrated because this could really change their lives.
Right now, there are two flood risk zones, but the new maps coming in 2025 will have four levels of risk. If you’re in a very high-risk area, forget about building a new house or even fixing one that got flooded. That’s a tough pill to swallow for many.
Robillard mentioned that the new maps could put around 2,000 homes in flood zones, a huge jump from just two. People are scrambling to figure out what this means for their properties. They thought they were safe after rebuilding, but now it feels like the rug’s been pulled out from under them.
In Pointe-Calumet, Mayor Sonia Fontaine is also feeling the heat. Her town hasn’t flooded since the 70s, but the new maps could label over 97% of it as a flood zone. She’s worried about property values and says people are feeling lost and scared about their homes.
Both mayors are calling on the government to rethink these flood zone designations, especially for areas protected by dikes. It’s a tough situation, and the frustration is palpable.
Things have even gotten a bit tense in the lower Laurentians. A local politician had to close her office after someone shot at it, and she thinks it might be linked to the anger over the flood maps. It’s a sign of how serious this issue has become.
In Beauceville, they’ve had their share of flooding too. After a big ice jam in 2019, they had to demolish a bunch of buildings. Now, they’re worried the new maps will only make things worse for them.
Experts say the communication around these changes has been lacking. People need clear info from all sides, not just the government. And while dikes can help, they’re not foolproof. The risk is still there, and climate change is only making things trickier.
So, while the new mapping system is a step in the right direction, Quebec still has a long way to go compared to other countries. It’s a tough time for many, and the uncertainty is weighing heavily on everyone.