QUEBEC — Over a hundred people were evacuated overnight Tuesday in eastern Quebec as torrential rain continued to cause major flooding.
Emergency measures have been implemented in the hardest hit area, around the city of Gaspe, that has received 150 millimetres of rain in two days.
Heavy rain and strong winds continued pounding the region Wednesday and Environment Canada forecast another 50 millimetres of rain by the end of the day.
"It's pretty terrible," Quebec Public Security Minister Robert Dutil said Wednesday, adding his government is set to adopt a decree to offer financial assistance to the Gaspe Peninsula.
A spokesman for the city of Gaspe said over 100 residents were evacuated and between 150 and 200 homes were flooded.
"In some ways this is worse than the 2007 flooding," said Daniel Cote of the city of Gaspe. "The damages are plentiful but they are not as serious," he added.
He stressed the heavy rain caused four major rivers and several small streams to spill their banks. The communities also fear possible landslides.
In August 2007, flash flooding killed two people after their house was swept away in the Riviere-au-Renard community, near Gaspe. The damage was estimated at $2 million.
This week's flooding also led to several road closures in the area — notably the main road 132 — because they were covered with water.
The people evacuated were taken to two emergency shelters put in place in Riviere-au-Renard and Gaspe.
A spokesman for Quebec's civil security department said they were monitoring the situation closely Wednesday, but noted the water levels appeared to be steady.
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