Montreal Storm: First-Hand Accounts of Flooding and Chaos
The city of Montreal was hit with a severe storm on Tuesday, leaving behind a trail of destruction and chaos. The heavy rain and strong winds caused widespread flooding, power outages, and damage to property. As the city continues to recover from the storm, residents are sharing their first-hand experiences of the mayhem that ensued.
One resident, Marie-Claire Tremblay, described the storm as a “nightmare.” She recounted how she was driving home from work when the rain suddenly intensified, making it difficult to see the road. “I had to pull over and wait for the rain to calm down before I could continue driving,” she said. “It was terrifying.”
Many other residents were caught off guard by the storm, as it was not predicted by weather forecasts. “I was at home when I heard a loud noise and looked outside to see that a tree had fallen on my neighbor’s car,” said Jean-Pierre Lefebvre. “I couldn’t believe it. The storm came out of nowhere.”
The storm also caused significant flooding in several areas of the city. In the borough of Pierrefonds-Roxboro, water levels rose rapidly, submerging streets and homes. “I’ve never seen anything like this before,” said resident Sophie Gagnon. “The water was up to my waist and I had to be rescued by a neighbor with a canoe.”
The Montreal Fire Department received over 500 calls for assistance during the storm, with many of them related to flooding and fallen trees. “We were working non-stop to help those in need,” said firefighter Marc Dubois. “It was a challenging and intense night for us.”
The storm also caused power outages for thousands of residents, with some areas still without electricity. “We lost power around 8 pm and it still hasn’t come back,” said Martin Roy. “We had to throw out all the food in our fridge and freezer. It’s a huge inconvenience.”
The city’s public transportation system was also affected by the storm, with several bus and metro lines experiencing delays and cancellations. “I was stuck on a bus for over an hour because of the flooding on the roads,” said commuter Sarah Johnson. “It was a nightmare trying to get home.”
Despite the chaos and damage caused by the storm, Montrealers are coming together to help each other recover. Many volunteers have been helping with clean-up efforts and providing support to those affected. “It’s heartwarming to see the community come together during times like this,” said resident David Tremblay. “We will get through this together.”
The city of Montreal is currently assessing the extent of the damage and working to restore power and clean up affected areas. Mayor Valérie Plante has urged residents to stay safe and to report any damage to the city’s emergency services. The storm serves as a reminder to always be prepared for unexpected weather events and to take necessary precautions.
