Quebec water levels have peaked, but a long road ahead, officials say

Quebec Premier PhilippeCouillardsays water levels in the province, which has been devastated by flooding over the past week,have peaked and should begin receding in the near future.

During a news conference in Montreal on Tuesday, Couillard said that while visiting different flooded areas, he has been trying to put himself in residents' shoes.

"I can understand the anxiety, angst people feel right now. I would feelthe same, even some anger, if it were my home being affected," he said.

The latest numbers released on Tuesday evening by Urgence Qubec show 3,883 homes are flooded a jump of over 1,000 from the day before. Some 2,721 people have been forced from their homes.

Public Security Minister Martin Coiteux said while the situation won't improve right away, the water levelscould be back to normal by the end of the month.

"There is hope ahead of us," he said.

Galipeault Bridge reopens

That first sign of hope came early Tuesday afternoon from the Transport Ministry, which announced the reopening of the GalipeaultBridge.

The span, which connectsthe island ofle-Perrotand Montreal along Highway 20, had been closedsince Sunday evening due to high water levels.

Earlier in the day, Prime Minister Justin Trudeau announced the federal government will assume the costs of deploying troops and supplying sandbags to battle the flood zones in Quebec and Ontario.

• Ottawa to pick up costs to deploy military to Quebec flood zones

CouillardandCoiteuxboth urged Quebecers to donate to the Canadian Red Cross flood relief fund. Coiteux announced Mondaythe government will pay the non-profit organization's administration fees, so everythingdonated to the fundwill go directly to helping those in need.

The provincial government is contributing $500,000 to thefund, while theCity of Montreal intendsto kick in $250,000 and the City of Laval, $50,000.

Couillard said he has made a personal donation to the fund as well.

Flood victimswho need financial assistance can call the province at 1-888-643-2433.

Minister urges patience

Coiteux said the rate of water flow at theCarillon Dam, on the Ottawa River near the Quebec-Ontario border, is slowing the first stage of waters receding in areas west of Montreal and in western Quebec.

"We have to be patient. It's not a situation that will improve right away," he said.

At least 10 municipalities across Quebec have declared states of emergency. The latest isDeux-Montagnes, about 40 kilometres northwest of downtown Montreal, with more than 100 residents forced to leave their homes.

In Laval, on the island north of Montreal, 42 families are being taken care of by the Red Cross, according to Mayor Marc Demers.The city has been under a state of emergency since Sunday and will be for an undetermined length of time.

Elected officials voted to extend the states of emergencyfor Pierrefonds-Roxboro, L'le-BizardSainte-Genevive, Ahuntsic-Cartierville, Sainte-Anne-de-Bellevue and Senneville, all on the island of Montreal, for five days.

Montreal Mayor Denis Coderresaid the measure was preventive, socity officials can act if required. While 243 homes have been evacuated, no one has been forced to leave, he said.

Rigaud, about30 kilometres west of the island of Montreal, is also under a state of emergency. Mandatory evacuations resumed there Tuesday morning.

Mayor Hans Gruenwald Jr.saidthough he has been criticized for signing the evacuation order, he is fine with his decision.

"If at the end of all this, we get through this ordeal without loss of life, I will call that a success," he said.

Though the water levels are starting to drop, Gruenwald Jr. warned residents of the dangers associated floodwaters, which are very cold.

"I don't want citizens to think this is over. It's far from over," he said.

It's still unclear when people who have been forced out of their homes will be allowed to return.

• Who to call, where to go: Everything you need to know about Quebec's floods

Tragic outcome

The flooding has been linked to at least one death.

The body of MikeGagnon, 37,waspulled from theSainte-AnneRiverin Quebec's Gasp region Monday evening, one day afterthe currentswept his carinto the water.

Provincial policesaid the road he was driving on had been closed due to flooding.

A two-year-old girl he was travelling with is still missing. His partner, who is the girl's mother,was also in the car. She was able to escape.

Unhappy with response

While municipal and provincial politicians and officials have defended the response to the rising waters, some flood zone residents are irate with the way things have beenhandled.

Coderresaid while he understands people are frustrated, everyone on the ground, from firefighters to city workers,is doing their jobto the best their abilities.

WATCH: Drone footage of flooding in Pierrefonds

7 years ago

Duration 0:38

Radio-Canada's drone went up to get a bird's eye view of the flooding in Montreal's West Island.

About 1,650 members of the Canadian Forces have been deployed across the province. They'reassisting local emergency responders in efforts to shore up dikes, fill sandbags and other measures intended to fight the flooding.

Chief of Defence Staff Gen.Jonathan Vance is visiting the flood zones inPierrefonds,RigaudandGatineauon Tuesday to support the Forces members on the ground.

A number of schools in the Montreal areaare once again closed today due to the flooding.

• For school and road closures, head to our StormCentre page
• Here's how you can help the Montreal flood relief effort