Published August 24, 2024

JOHN JANTAK
The 1019 Report

The largest number of residents affected by flood waters caused by record-setting torrential rains earlier this month as the remnants of Hurricane Debby swept the region were in the municipalities of Vaudreuil-Dorion and Pincourt.

“The flooding was throughout the city,” said Vaudreuil-Dorion Mayor Guy Pilon last week. “There was no area that was worse than any other.”

In all, about 1,200 properties were affected, Pilon said.

About 180 millimetres of rain fell on the city during a 24-hour period Aug. 9, more than the twice the amount of rain it normally receives for the entire month.

“With this amount of rain there is no infrastructure that can handle that amount of water in one shot,” Pilon told The 1019 Report. “It’s impossible.”

The mayor noted that the large number of residences affected by the flooding could make it difficult for many homeowners to find available contractors to begin restoration work.

“Most of the people did the cleanup by themselves, but now they have to rebuild. Some people will be able to do it, but most will need to have their sewers checked. There will be a big demand for contractors, including plumbers and electricians,” Pilon said.

The mayor added that during the spring floods in 2017 and 2019 about 200 residences were affected during each event when rising water from Vaudreuil Bay flooded areas along St. Charles Ave. and some side streets.

In Pincourt, about 250 homes and buildings were affected, with municipal officials describing the level of damage inside many buildings as significant.

City officials also reported several vehicles were damage by flood waters, while two people were rescued as water surrounded their truck. There were no injuries.

According to the city, about 190 millimetres of rain fell in the Pincourt area. But now, the focus has shifted to the cleanup.

The debris from many flooded basements, including damaged appliances, drywall and carpeting, have been piled outside affected properties awaiting removal.

A special bulk waste collection is scheduled to begin today to remove the mounds of debris piled outside homes. Everything from furniture, mattresses, carpets, drywall and toilets will be collected.

The debris has been piled outside affected properties awaiting removal since the floods.

Pincourt Mayor Claude Comeau said the town will continue to put in place various measures, such as repairing underground infrastructures, greening mineralized areas, planting forests and increasing its emergency response equipment to deal with future extreme weather events.

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