The Americas

Floods drive nearly 1,900 from homes in Canada's Quebec

Associated Press
Published | Updated

A resident holds his phone in his teeth as he navigates deep waters on Voisine Road in Rockland, Ont., about 40 kilometres east of Ottawa, Sunday, May 7, 2017, as rising levels on the Ottawa River and heavy rains continue to cause flooding. (Justin Tang/The Canadian Press via AP) (The Associated Press)

The Ottawa River is nearly level with the deck and swimming pool at Pierre Voisine's home in Rockland, Ont., about 40 kilometres east of Ottawa, Sunday, May 7, 2017, as rising levels on the Ottawa River and heavy rains continue to cause flooding. (Justin Tang/The Canadian Press via AP) (The Associated Press)

Martin Gervais works to get a pump hose flowing again as water crashes against a rock wall at a home in Rockland, Ont., about 40 kilometres east of Ottawa, Sunday, May 7, 2017, as rising levels on the Ottawa River and heavy rains continue to cause flooding. (Justin Tang/The Canadian Press via AP) (The Associated Press)

Flooding caused by unusually persistent rainfall has driven nearly 1,900 people from their homes in 126 municipalities in the Canadian province of Quebec.

National Public Safety Minister Ralph Goodale told CTV Sunday that 450 troops are on the ground across the province and that number is increasing. Ontario also is seeing flooding.

One of the hardest-hit towns is Rigaud, west of Montreal. Mayor Hans Gruenwald Jr. says evacuation is mandatory in some areas and firefighters will be going door to door to make sure people leave their homes.

Montreal Mayor Denis Coderre says three dikes gave way in the Pierrefonds-Roxboro borough in the north end of the city. Homes have been evacuated in that borough as well as on the two nearby islands, Ile-Bizard and the smaller Ile-Mercier.