Chertsey, Que., was hit hard by a rainstorm on Sunday, with over 120 millimeters of rain falling in just a few hours. This led to flooded basements, crumbling roads, and a broken dam, forcing the city to advise residents to stay indoors unless there was an emergency. The mayor of Chertsey, Michelle Joly, described the situation as very scary, with one of the small dams giving way and causing the closure of a main road to prevent further damage. The city has a total of 58 dams, 15 of which are municipality-owned, and the rest are private. Last year, two major dams were lost, leading to a cautious approach towards their management.
The area of Chertsey is mostly made up of cottages and sees a population influx during long weekends and holidays, with up to 16,000 people present at times. With a vast territory of 347 kilometers of roads that could potentially be damaged, residents were urged to stay home and avoid areas near dams and broken roads. Emergency crews were busy repairing roads and rescuing people who were stranded near the Ouareau River. While Environment Canada stated that the worst of the storm was over, another system was expected on Wednesday, but the forecasted rain was not significant enough to raise concerns. This gave crews some time to work on repairs from the weekend’s damage.
Quebec Public Security Minister, François Bonnardel, assured that his teams were in communication with officials from Chertsey and Val-David and were prepared to provide any necessary assistance. Despite the challenging circumstances, the community of Chertsey was coming together to support one another and begin the cleanup process. Pierre Rochon, a resident whose basement was flooded, expressed his belief that the storm was Mother Nature’s way of seeking revenge for the harm humans have caused to the environment. The city’s mayor emphasized the importance of being cautious around dam structures and called for residents to adhere to safety guidelines.
The impact of the storm was significant, with about 100 homes left stranded due to the damaged roads. Crews worked diligently to repair the infrastructure as quickly as possible to restore access. The city’s population, normally around 5,000, faced challenges in the aftermath of the storm, but the resilience and spirit of the community were evident as they tackled the aftermath together. With support from government authorities and weather agencies, Chertsey was on the path to recovery and rebuilding. The cooperation and unity displayed by residents and emergency crews in the face of adversity highlighted the strength and solidarity of the people of Chertsey. The city’s determination to bounce back from the storm’s devastation was evident, as they worked towards restoring normalcy and ensuring the safety of all residents.
In conclusion, the rainstorm in Chertsey, Que., had a significant impact on the community, causing flooded basements, damaged roads, and a breached dam. The response from residents, emergency crews, and government officials highlighted the resilience and unity of the community in the face of adversity. With support and assistance from various agencies, Chertsey was on the path to recovery, with repairs underway to address the damage caused by the storm. The importance of caution around dam structures and adherence to safety guidelines was emphasized as the city worked towards restoring normalcy and ensuring the well-being of all residents. Despite the challenges faced, the spirit of cooperation and determination in Chertsey shone through as the community came together to support one another and begin the cleanup and rebuilding process.
