société radio-canada is facing a rapidly escalating flood watch in Montréal as water levels continue to climb and city officials warn the worst impacts could hit on Sunday. On Friday in Ahuntsic-Cartierville, Mayor Soraya Martinez Ferrada said the situation could reach levels seen in 2017 and 2019, while the city prepared for possible disruptions across vulnerable neighborhoods. The warning comes as Environment Canada is calling for 15 to 25 millimeters of rain starting overnight Saturday, with the greatest concern centered on the Rivière des Prairies and nearby infrastructure.
Water levels rise, and the city moves to its highest alert
City the average water level has already risen by 70 centimeters in Montréal over the past few days, and that increase is expected to continue through the weekend. The city has been at level 3 of its Plan particulier d’intervention since Thursday, its highest alert level, which allows the large-scale distribution of sandbags and flood barriers, emergency pumping on the ground, and the opening of a 24-hour in-person coordination center.
Jim Beis, the official responsible for public safety, said the city has enough sandbags and pumps on hand and that crews are already in place. Richard Liebmann, director of the Service de sécurité incendie de Montréal, said the Pont de l’île Mercier will be closely watched and could be closed if water reaches the structure. He also warned that local roads in Senneville could face the same fate if conditions worsen.
Société Radio-canada and the focus on upstream runoff
Martinez Ferrada stressed that the main concern is not only rain falling directly on Montréal, but what is happening upstream in the Outaouais watershed. She said the city is watching the combined effect of runoff and rain, adding that the critical issue is the speed at which water continues to move into the region. For that reason, officials are preparing for a weekend in which several road links could be shut down if conditions cross safety thresholds.
Five measuring stations in the metropolitan region are already at minor-flood levels, meaning water has reached some yards in areas including Pierrefonds-Roxboro and Ahuntsic-Cartierville, but without major material damage so far. Laval is seeing the same general pressure, with water levels rising on the Rivière des Mille-Îles and emergency measures already in place.
Immediate reaction from Montréal and Laval
In Laval, Mayor Stéphane Boyer’s administration said vigilance will be increased. A dike has been installed on Rue Riviera, another at the Laval-sur-le-Lac curling center, and water conduits have been blocked with inflatable balloons to prevent backflow. The city’s municipal civil security plan is also active across the territory of Île Jésus.
Officials in Montréal and Laval are both framing the weekend as a test of readiness, not a moment for false calm. The message from both cities is to stay alert, keep equipment ready, and respond quickly if conditions change.
What happens next
The next major shift is expected with the arrival of rain overnight Saturday and into Sunday, when city crews will be watching water levels minute by minute. If the forecast holds and runoff accelerates as expected, more closures, emergency pumping, and localized protection measures may be triggered. For now, Montréal remains on guard, and société radio-canada will stay a central reference point as residents look for signs of what comes next.
