Canada: Flooding in eastern Canada displaces 1200 people April 21 /update 1

Event

Continued flooding in eastern Canada has displaced at least 1200 people as of Sunday, April 21, with floodwaters expected to rise in the coming days. At least one man was killed when attempting to drive across a flooded road. An estimated 1000 homes were affected by flooding in Quebec and around 600 soldiers have deployed to assist with relief efforts. Ontario, southern Quebec, and New Brunswick provinces are the most affected by a rapid surge of floodwater, particularly areas near Ottawa (Ontario province) and Sainte-Marie (Quebec province). Authorities predict that flooding will continue near the St. Lawrence River, particularly near Lake St. Pierre, and along the St. John River areas between Frederickton and Saint John (New Brunswick province) over the coming week. Associated disruptions, including road closures, are expected.

Context

Rivers in eastern Canada have surged in recent days due to heavy rains and melting ice and snow due to high spring temperatures.

Advice

Individuals in the affected areas are advised to monitor local weather and flood reports, anticipate continued flooding and associated transportation disruptions, adhere to instructions issued by local authorities, and remember that walking or driving through running water can be dangerous - 15 cm (6 in) is enough to knock over an adult - and that floodwater may contain wastewater and chemical products; all items having come into contact with floodwater should be disinfected and all foodstuffs discarded.