Premier urges safety as Canadian troops deployed to help with Quebec flooding

More than 400 military personnelhave been deployedto help the flood relief effort in Quebec.

Canadian Forces troops from CFBValcartierheaded to Gatineau, Laval, Rigaudand the Mauricie region of Quebec and aother unit will be set up as a command post in Montreal.

• Follow the ongoing flood coveragelive

Lt. Delphine Bonnardot (Navy) told CBC News that the army is currently in talks with the province on how resources can be best deployed.

Water levels have risen across Quebec as rain continues to fall. Between Friday and Saturday night, more rain fell than during the entire month of May 2016.

Speaking to reporters Saturday, Quebec PremierPhilippeCouillardsaid his thoughts are with those in the province who are affected by the flooding. Flanked by his senior ministers, he said safety is the number one priority.

"Everybody wants to help," he said. "AllQuebecerswant our fellowQuebecersto feel safe. That's the first priority."

Flooding in Pierrefonds seen from above

7 years ago

Duration 0:54

This is what Pierrefonds looks like from above as flooding continues to plague some parts of Quebec. Submitted by Daniel Meli.

Rehab centre evacuated

A Montreal rehabilitation centre has been evacuated as a precaution as water levels in the adjacent Riviredes Prairies continue to rise.

Forty-eight residents of thePavillon Pierrefondsof the CIUSSS duCentre-Sud-de-l'le-de-Montralhave been moved. GatanBarrette, the province's health minister, said all of the residents have severe mental or physical disabilities.

"They are not in a situation to understand what's happening," he said.

Residents have been taken to other health-care centres, where they'll stay for the next three weeks.

State of emergency in Oka, Que.

Water levels also drastically rose overnight in Oka, a small village bordering the Ottawa River about 60 kilometres northwest of Montreal. The municipality has declared a state of emergency and local authorities officially asked for assistance from the Canadian Armed Forceson Saturday.

Several streets are closed to traffic and residents are scrambling to protect their homes from water damage.

Steven Gabriel is using three separate pumps and a slew of sandbags in hopes of saving his house from flooding.

"It's just relentless," he said. "It's been about 20 years since it's been like this."

While his backyard is sinking due to accumulated water, Gabriel said he's taken comfort in the community banding together to help one another out.

"Everyone is working together," said Gabriel. "At least there's that we're not alone."

More rain coming

According to Environment Canada, between Friday and Saturday evening, up to 80 millimetresof rain will have fallen in the Ottawa Riverand that water is headed downstream toward Montreal.

• le Mercier residents not forced to evacuate even as bridge closed to emergency vehicles

"It usually takes a few days for all of that precipitation to increase the water level of those rivers," said Bruno Marquis, Environment Canada meteorologist.

As of Saturday evening, 126municipalities across the province are dealing with flooding, in the regions of Montreal, Laval, the Montrgie, Mauricie, Lanaudire and the Laurentians.

"We think it's very appropriate to ask for additional resources, additional efforts from the armed forces and I'm very happy that we had the entire collaboration of the federal government in this respect," said Quebec Public Security Minister MartinCoiteux.

He said even when the waters recede, some areas will continue to be affected for weeks to come.

Federal Public Safety Minister Ralph Goodale says the army will work with local authorities to co-ordinate relief efforts.

• Quebec calls in the army to deal with flooding

Islands under water

Authorities in Laval have recommendedthat residents leave their homes on thelow-lyingleVerteandle-Roussin. They, along withleMercierin Montreal, have seen heavy flooding over the past few days.

The bridge connecting the leMercier to Montreal is completely closed to all vehicles, including emergency vehicles. On Friday, Montreal's mayor said there was a possibility of a mandatory evacuation order being authorized to remaining residents.

le Mercier is home to about 50 properties and around 20 homes are still occupied.

According to Quebec authorities:

• 126cities and municipalities have been affected.
• 1,867residences are flooded.
• 1,065 people have left their homes.
• 409 roads have been affected by the floods.