Quebec cracks down on homeowners trying to rebuild in high-risk flood zones

The Quebec government says it will strictly enforce rules that forbidhomes that have been condemned or were destroyed by severe flooding this spring to be rebuilt if they are in areas at high risk of flooding.

Environment Minister David Heurtelsaid Thursday the move to forbidrebuilding in zonesthat are likely to flood once every 20 yearsis necessary to protect homeowners.

"We're basically saying we want to ensure everybody's safety, we know these things are going to happen more and more often," Heurtelsaid. "They are going to be more and more devastating."

"This is not in your safety's interest to rebuild if your home has been destroyed."

• 100s across Quebec still can't return home due to flooding

Flood victims who are not located in 20-year flood zonesare allowed to carry out renovations and rebuildtheir homes if they pass inspection.

The province estimates that 278 municipalities were affected by flooding, and500 to 800 homes were declared a total loss.

It's not clear how many of those homes are located in high-risk areas.

Rising floodwatersforced more than 5,300 people from their homes during April and May, andhundreds are still unable to return home.

The government also announced it will hold public consultations next month and meet with residents in each region affected by flooding.

A special forum will also beheld this fall to discuss climate change, land development and preventive measures concerning flooding.

Preparing for future floods

Heurtel said the province willupdateexisting flood maps and createmaps for the 65 municipalities affected by flooding that didn't and still don't have floodmaps.

It's a necessary step considering how extensive the damage was from flooding this year,and the quickening pace of climate change, he said.

"We will reevaluate the way we're doing this so we can be better prepared, so we will have updated maps that integrate thesenew realities that are changingfar, far faster than ever before."