Public safety authorities in Sherbrooke, Que., have issued a flooding alert for one area of the city where the Saint-François River has risen to more than six metres.
A preventive evacuation order was issued for about 15 homes in the sector around Queen Boulevard North and Bowen Street South.
The Red Cross is being mobilized to assist families affected by the evacuation order.
City authorities have also closed the municipal garage on Grandes-Fourches Street, ramps to Frontenac Street and Grande-Fourches Street and a parking lot at the SAQ in the same sector.
With more rain in the forecast, it's expected water levels in the Saint-François River could climb even higher and force more evacuations.
The City of Sherbrooke has set up a phone line (819-821-1928) where residents can obtain more information on flooding and evacuations.
Rivers under surveillance in southern Quebec
Rains have helped raise water levels to preoccupying levels in around 30 rivers in southern Quebec.
Environment Canada is maintaining rainfall warnings in a number of regions including:
- The Eastern Townships
- Metro Montreal.
- Beauce.
- Charlevoix.
- Laurentians.
- Quebec City.
- The Richelieu Valley.
Up to 40 millimetres of rain were expected in those regions, and up to 60 millimetres were in the forecast for Charlevoix and regions north of Quebec City.
That rain could exacerbate flood conditions in those regions, and Environment Canada issued a warning to avoid washouts near rivers, creeks and culverts.
As of 7:30 a.m. ET, Quebec's flood monitoring agency had flood alerts issued for the following rivers:
- Nicolet and Nicolet Southwest.
- Bécancour.
- Yamaska (Brigham).
- Chaudière.
- Lac desdeuxmontagnes.
- Bayonne.
- Saint-François.
- Saumon.
Flood watches have also been issued for the following rivers:
- Yamaska (Farnham).
- Nord.
- Ouareau.
- Noire (Lanaudière).
- Etchemin.
- Eaton.
- Des MilleÎles.
- Des Prairies.
- Châteauguay (Huntingdon).