The Municipality of yamaska declared a state of emergency after spring flooding left about a hundred residents cut off and without power. Fast-rising waters and broken ice blocked access to the island known as Île du Domaine and nearby roads, prompting evacuations late afternoon ET. Municipal officials warned that recent warm spells and further precipitation could push water levels higher and complicate rescue and repair work.
Island isolation, power losses and immediate response
About a hundred people on Île du Domaine found themselves isolated when swollen waterways and ice jams blocked the narrow channel separating the island from the mainland. Hydro-Québec recorded 72 addresses without electricity on Tuesday as crews worked to restore service. Hydro-Québec installed what was described as a temporary solution that allowed power to be returned to customers around 5: 45 p. m. ET.
Evacuations were in progress late afternoon ET as municipal emergency teams and partners moved to reach affected homes. The Sûreté du Québec is working in close collaboration with the municipality, civil security, Hydro-Québec and the Coast Guard to prioritize safety and to carry out door-to-door checks in the affected sector.
Yamaska: ice jams and rapid melt blamed by an expert
Philippe Gachon, Professor, Department of Geography, Université du Québec à Montréal, pointed to the winter’s exceptional cold and recent thaws as drivers of the current crisis. “The temperatures were particularly cold this winter and that brought a lot of ice on the Yamaska River, ” he said, adding that broken and piled ice can block channels and prevent normal drainage. He noted that the speed of snowmelt increases river discharge and complicates access to the affected sector.
Local residents described the scene as chaotic but familiar. “We’re in trouble—we end up without power and we are also disaster-stricken, ” said Pascal Bibeau, a resident of Île du Domaine, who spent the day checking on neighbors and supplies. Farmer Yves Chapdelaine crossed the river with his tractor to deliver gasoline for generators and grocery supplies to residents who were cut off.
What officials say and what comes next
The Municipality of Yamaska declared the emergency because of rapid water rise and weather conditions forecast for the coming hours, and municipal services, emergency responders, and Hydro-Québec are monitoring the situation and deploying resources. The priority remains protection of life and safety of those stranded; additional personnel have been assigned to assist with evacuations and assessments.
Authorities warned that expected precipitation and continuing thaw conditions could raise water levels further. Residents were urged to avoid travel in flooded areas and to heed instructions from emergency teams. Municipal teams will continue field assessments and evacuations as needed, while Hydro-Québec and partners pursue repairs and temporary fixes.
Looking ahead, weather and river conditions will dictate the pace of recovery; further precipitation could worsen access and isolation on Île du Domaine and elsewhere in yamaska, and emergency organizations remain on standby to expand evacuations and relief efforts as required.
