In flood-stricken Quebec, impact of weekend rain won't be as bad as first thought

After a long week of fighting floodwaters, some good news the weekend weather, once ominous, won't be as problematic as it was forecast to be earlier in the week.

Parts of the Mauricie region in central Quebec, where the fear was that a predicted59 millimetres of rain could increase water levels in and around an already swollen Lac Saint-Pierre, are now forecast tosee no more than25 millimetres of rain over the weekend.

High winds and the tides are still a concern in that area, as well as in other parts of the province, but the wind won't be as strong as previously forecast, saidEnvironment Minister DavidHeurtel.

• Complete coverage of the 2017 Quebec floods

Officials are warning residents that wind may create waves that could further damage their homes.

As of Friday, about 4,485 residences have been floodedacross the province, forcing some3,641 people from their homes.

The weather outlook is also better in western Quebec, where water levels in the Ottawa River, the Lake of Two Mountains and the Milles-les and des Prairies riverscontinue to fall, according toHeurtel.

Water levels in Lac St-Louis are expected to remain stable, even though the water flowing fromLake Ontario, where levels are also high, is being increased, Heurtel said.

In Montreal, the city is expected to announce this weekendwhether the current state of emergency will be extended or lifted. Regardless, Montreal fire department ChiefBruno Lachancesaid no one is taking any chances, and the city is urging caution for residents wanting to return home.

Members of the Canadian Armed Forces were in Pierrefonds-Roxboroyesterdayreinforcinga dike onDauvilleStreet and pumping water out of the neighbourhood.

• Rigaudthreatens up to $5K in fines for those who won't leave their homes

Slow return home in Montreal

While floodwaters continue to recedein affected regions in and around Montreal, Mayor Denis Coderre is asking for affected residents to be patient when it comes to going back home.

"When we're talking about eventual reintegration, there's a very clear process," said Coderre during a news conference on Friday."We have to move forward with care and to remember that there is still water pressure on the dikes."

The city will also setup two command posts to help residents who are able toreturn to their homes. Flood victims are asked to contact 311 to gethelp from public security.

"We'll act quickly, but please contact us before going back to your homes," saidLachance.

Firefighters will accompany residents to inspect their homes and identify any risks related to structural damage, electricity ornatural gas.

Residents may only return to their homes once city inspectors deem it is safe, and then they will receive individualized safety instructions to follow.

The city is also advising residents to do the following upon returning home:

• Check that heating and electricity systems are functioning.
• Check the general state of the home.
• Ensure smoke detectors and carbon monoxide detectors are working correctly.
• Check for mould.
• Document damageby taking photos and keeping a written log.
• Check food and water quality before consuming.

Compensation on the way

Public Security Minister Martin Coiteux said that the compensation phase, thenext step of the government's plan to help affected residents, is underway.

He echoed comments made by Premier PhilippeCouillard, who said yesterday that the province is in the process of reviewing its compensation plan and changes may be forthcoming.

• What is covered under the Quebec government's flooding compensation plan?

The levels of compensation will be higher, Coiteux said, but there will still be a maximum.

"We want to be more generous, and we want to do it in the right way," he said.

During a visit Thursday to hard-hit Mauricie, Couillard told flood victims that the Canadian Armed Forces will remain on site to help out even after water levels go down.

Calling in reinforcements

In a show of "municipal solidarity,"BernardSvigny, president of theUnion of Municipalities of Quebec(UMQ), said the umbrella group is issuing a call to cities and towns that haven't been hit by flooding to help with the relief efforts.

Municipalities will be asked to contribute technical support,human resources and equipment to other communities in need.

The UMQ will work with thePublic Security Ministry to coordinate resources for the effort,Svignysaid