Heavy rains have caused flooding in Canada. Towns in Ontario and British Columbia are under water. Montreal declared a state of emergency Sunday, May 7.
The Canadian government sent in the army to assist, but in many cases there was little the army could do. Many residents have been driven from their homes.
“The house was flooding over by a couple inches every five, ten minutes.” said homeowner Steve Taylor. “It was going up, going up, so we figured, can’t stay here.”
Not everyone was willing to leave. The Mayor of Rigaud, Quebec, had to announce that the police would follow the fire department and forcibly remove people who refused to move to safety.
“We understand that your house is your most prized possession,: said Quebec Minister for the Outaouais region Stéphanie Vallée. “But at the same time, the message is: ‘Your life is the most prized possession.'”
Some people blamed the government for not acting sooner.
“It’s too late. They’re here too late,” complained homeowner Daniel Goneau. “And they’re not even sending them down to help the other people that are still able to save their house.”
This is the worst flooding Canada has seen in decades.
