Water levels recede for the Rivière des Prairies and the Lac des Deux-Montagnes - Residents progressively return home, following strict safety rules

MONTRÉAL, May 12, 2017 /CNW Telbec/ - Mayor Denis Coderre and Service incendie de Montréal (SIM) director and emergency preparedness coordinator, Bruno Lachance, announced that due to lower water levels in flood zones, some residents can return home as of today. Municipal authorities registered water levels that were about one foot lower overnight from Thursday to Friday.

According to Mayor Coderre, "Although there are still several days before the river returns to its bed, everything indicates that the worst is behind us. Also, we are beginning, starting today, to allow residents to return to their homes progressively."

There are two conditions for residents to be allowed to return home. First, the premises must be inspected by city specialists. Second, individualized safety instructions will be given to the returning resident.

Return instructions

To ensure everyone's safety, a procedure has been set for flood victims to return home safely. Evacuated residents are asked to follow instructions from ground authorities.

Here are some additional safety measures that residents should take:

• Ensure that heating and electricity systems are working correctly
• Check the general state of the building
• Check smoke detectors and carbon monoxide detectors
• Check for mould
• Document damages (take photos and keep a written log)
• Be sure of food and water quality before consuming

Residents can obtain more information about the next steps to return home (for example, turning electricity, natural gas, propane and water and sewage lines back on) by visiting the city's emergency preparedness Web site (ville.montreal.qc.ca/csc), or by calling 3-1-1.

Keep in mind that resources are being mobilized for emergency response until further notice. As well, cleaning operations will begin over the next few days, as soon as the situation permits.

Road conditions are improving progressively. To see a list, view the interactive map.

For more information about the flood situation, visit the Centre de sécurité civile de la Ville de Montréal.

SOURCE Ville de Montréal - Cabinet du maire et du comité exécutif

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