A massive water main break wreaked havoc in Montreal’s St-Michel neighborhood on Friday morning, causing extensive flooding of streets and waterlogging of cars. The incident led to the evacuation of at least two buildings as emergency responders rushed to the scene.
The water main break occurred at the intersection of Bélanger Street and 17th Avenue around 4:30 a.m., according to the Montreal Fire Department (SIM). The situation was so severe that Montreal Police (SPVM) had to block off access to roads between Bélanger and Jean-Talon Streets and between 15th and 20th Avenues.
The force of the break also disrupted the area’s power supply, leaving more than 7,000 Hydro-Québec customers in Montreal without electricity as of 8 a.m.
Mayor Valérie Plante addressed the situation on Twitter, assuring the public that response crews were actively on the ground, dealing with the aftermath of the water main break. She mentioned that the St-Michel arena would be opened for the next few hours to provide support and assistance to those affected by the incident.
“Our teams are on site to plug the leak, repair the pipe, and ensure safety. Please avoid the area. My thoughts go out to the citizens of the affected sector,” she wrote in her statement.
City buses were also deployed to the area to aid with the evacuations and assist residents in finding safe locations away from the flooded streets.
As the situation unfolded, authorities worked diligently to control the water flow, minimize the damage, and ensure the safety of the residents. The cause of the water main break is currently under investigation, and efforts are being made to restore normalcy to the affected area as swiftly as possible.
Un bris d’aqueduc majeur s’est déclaré à l’intersection de la rue Bélanger et de la 17e avenue. Nos équipes sont sur place pour colmater la fuite, réparer la conduite et assurer la sécurité. Merci d’éviter le secteur.
Mes pensées vont aux citoyennes et citoyens du secteur…
— Valérie Plante (@Val_Plante) July 28, 2023
Residents are urged to exercise caution, follow the guidance of emergency responders, and avoid the affected areas to allow the authorities to address the situation effectively. The city’s response teams remain on high alert, ready to tackle the challenges posed by the water main break and support those affected by this unexpected and disruptive event.