Rising waters impact Gatineau as spring flood concerns grow in Quebec, Ontario

MONTREAL – Spring flood conditions put homes at risk of flooding and forced street closures in Gatineau, Que., along the Ottawa River, as rising waters continued to disrupt neighbourhoods across the city.

The city was among several communities in Quebec and Ontario watching closely as renewed rain forecasts added pressure to flood-prone areas already dealing with washouts, bridge closures and swollen waterways. 

Quebec Premier Christine Fréchette was in Saint-Eustache on Sunday afternoon to meet with officials at the civil protection office.

“Flooding is going to become an increasingly common occurrence. It is now a reality in Quebec due to climate change,” Fréchette said.

The premier said the situation was under control and that precipitation levels remained “below critical levels.” Fréchette indicated, however, that the Argenteuil, Outaouais and Lanaudière regions of Québec were being monitored more closely. 

She said she had contacted mayors in major cities and municipalities under flood watch, offering the full co-operation of the provincial government.

“Our priority is to protect the public,” she said.

Emergency crews stepped up overnight response efforts in Gatineau as water levels continued to rise in vulnerable neighbourhoods. Mayor Maude Marquis-Bissonnette said firefighters went door-to-door to warn residents living in homes at risk of flooding. 

“The situation is under control at the moment; we’re familiar with it,” she said at a briefing. “Unfortunately, the organization is well-prepared for this type of event. We urge people to prepare accordingly.”

Officials said 164 homes were at risk of flooding and 41 streets remained closed as conditions persisted. The water on the Ottawa River was predicted to rise by 30 centimetres by Monday morning. 

Environment Canada issued a storm surge warning for Quebec City on Sunday, forecasting higher-than-normal water levels along the riverbanks at Monday’s high tide. 

On Sunday morning, Quebec authorities reported eight moderate floods in the province, 28 minor floods and 17 bodies of water under observation. 

In Ontario, the municipality of West Nipissing issued a state of emergency on Saturday, joining a growing number of Ontario communities under similar crisis alerts, including Central Manitoulin and Minden Hills.
The municipality of West Nipissing, located on a lakeshore in northeastern Ontario, said ongoing flooding and deteriorating road conditions were elevating safety risks, and it asked residents to prepare for possible evacuation orders.

Officials in Mont-Tremblant, northwest of Montreal, said about 65 residences in known flood zones were affected, with residents informed. The municipality added that the situation remained under control and no major incidents were reported.

The City of Québec stated in a press release that no residential evacuations were required and that the fire department was conducting “preventive inspections” of homes located near at-risk waterways.

“Municipal teams are on the ground and maintaining constant vigilance to monitor the situation and ensure public safety,” the city’s release said.

Civil security director Denis Doucet said water levels in the Gatineau region were expected to peak Monday before beginning to stabilize by next weekend. He warned the region could remain at risk for at least two more weeks due to sustained high water levels and potential snowmelt from the north. 

Officials in Montreal also said Friday that water levels on the Outaouais and des Prairies rivers were rising and could spill their banks in the coming days.

Environment Canada said colder temperatures were on the way, which could help stabilize river levels across the province.

This report by The Canadian Press was first published April 19, 2026.

–with files from Kathryn Mannie and Quentin Dufranne