A major water main broke near the Jacques Cartier Bridge in Montreal, causing flooding in dozens of buildings and leaving around 150,000 homes under a boil-water advisory for over a day. The break occurred early in the morning, with witnesses describing it as a dramatic geyser of water shooting several meters into the air. Streets had reopened to traffic by the following day, but cleanup efforts were underway to remove debris and repair the damage caused by the flooding.
City spokesman Philippe Sabourin stated that it would take at least a month to repair the water main due to a lack of necessary parts and equipment. The city will first focus on fixing the street and inspecting the water main before proceeding with the repairs. The cause of the break is still unknown, with one hypothesis suggesting that road salt may have caused corrosion. A preventative boil-water advisory was issued for parts of the city’s northeast as a precaution, but it was lifted on Saturday evening.
Approximately 14,000 Hydro-Quebec clients were without electricity initially, but the number decreased to just over 300 by the following day. Firefighters had asked nearby residents to evacuate due to concerns about flooding and structural damage. The Red Cross assisted flood victims, with only three people needing emergency housing. The city is still assessing the extent of the damage caused by the water main break and is working to ensure the safety and well-being of affected residents.
The water main break occurred on Friday, leading to widespread flooding and a boil-water advisory for thousands of homes. Witnesses described the scene as chaotic, with firefighters working to evacuate residents from at-risk buildings. The city is facing a significant cleanup operation to address the damage caused by the water main break, including repairing the street and inspecting the water main for necessary repairs.
The cleanup operation in response to the water main break will take weeks to complete, with repairs expected to last at least a month. The city is working to determine the cause of the break, with speculation pointing to corrosion due to exposure to road salt. The impacted areas were placed under a boil-water advisory as a precaution, but the advisory was lifted once water quality was deemed safe. Hydro-Quebec worked to restore power to affected clients, with most of them regaining electricity within a day.
As the city continues to assess the damage caused by the water main break, efforts are being made to support affected residents and businesses. The Red Cross provided assistance to those in need of emergency housing, with only a small number of people requiring accommodation. The focus now is on repairing the infrastructure and ensuring the safety of residents in the aftermath of the flooding. Despite the challenges posed by the water main break, the city is working diligently to address the situation and minimize the impact on the community.
