With Quebec dam at risk of failing, evacuation ordered on Rouge River in western Laurentians

With Quebec dam at risk of failing, evacuation ordered on Rouge River in western Laurentians

Dam holding, but 'we're entering an unknown zone,' says Hydro-Québec official, with more rain on the way

John MacFarlane · CBC News

https://www.cbc.ca/news/canada/montreal/evacuation-order-bell-falls-dam-on-rouge-river-may-fail-1.5111259?__vfz=medium%3Dsharebar

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Water levels at the hydroelectric dam at Bell Falls on the Rouge River in Quebec's western Laurentians reached heights never before seen Thursday, triggering a mandatory evacuation of houses downstream.

Provincial police were going door-to-door to ensure residents left the area, Quebec Public Security Minister Geneviève Guilbault said Thursday evening. Some people had to be evacuated by helicopter.

The area around the dam is mainly forest dotted with small farms. It's sparsely populated, but there are around 23 principal residences and 38 cottages — many of which may not be occupied — so the exact number of people affected is unknown, Guilbault said.

The Public Security Ministry sent an evacuation alert Thursday afternoon after Hydro-Québec notified the ministry that the Rouge River had reached levels never before seen.



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