Stop sightseeing, snapping selfies in flood zones, Montreal fire department pleads

No more pictures, please.

The Montreal fire department is asking disaster tourists to stay out of the city's flood zones, saying sightseeing couldputthe population at risk.

Most of the dikes, which are under extreme pressure, were hastily built as a temporary way to hold back spring floods, said Martin Guilbault, operations chief of the Montreal fire department.

Climbing on top of the dikestosnap selfies could cause themto breach, he said. That,in turn, could lead to a disaster like the one unfolding inSainte-Marthe-sur-le-Lac, Que.

"The dike is in great stress, holding all that water, so we want a minimum of people around the dikes," he said. "It's important for the safety of everyone."

He added thatdriving around flooded neighbourhoods to view the damage is hindering the circulation of emergency vehicles. It has been a problem for several days and it needs to stop, he said.

"We don't want you to do that," he said. "We want you to stay home or if you have time, go volunteer and fill sandbags."

Rescue officials workaround the clock

Montreal has so far escaped the worst of the flooding, though a state of emergency is in effect until at least Thursday.

About 100 people have been forced out of their homes and more than 2,000 residences have been inspected already in the most vulnerable zones, including le Bizard, Sainte-Genevive and Pierrefonds-Roxboro.

As flood waters continue to put pressure on the city, Guilbault said the fire department has been focused on prevention monitoring water levels and dikes around the clock.

Nine multidisciplinary teams, which include rescue officials, building inspectors and electricians, are going door-to-door in flooded neighbourhoods to make sure properties and people are safe.

"They inspect house by house to make sure the people inside are OK," Guiilbault said, noting some homes are inspected two or three times in 24- to 48-hour periods.

"If it is dangerous, or the situation for those people is jeopardized, they are going to suggest evacuation."