Summer will be very busy for CFB Bagotville

Three days of rain, totaling 275 millimeters, pouring down from the 19th to the 21st of July in 1996, brought flash floods to the Saguenay region in a natural disaster not to be forgotten. Dikes and dams were overwhelmed or simply buckled under the pressure of all the water that flowed from rivers that could not contain the flash flood.

More than 16 000 people had to be evacuated, dozens of families lost everything when a huge wave swept away nearly 500 homes in La Baie, Chicoutimi and Jonquière.

Fortunately the locals were able to count on support from CFB Bagotville during this painful period in its history. From the first emergency signs, helicopters from 439 Squadron began to fly over the Saguenay sky to bring relief to people in need.

After the emergency rescue and evacuation of the population, the Royal Canadian Air Force helicopter crews were also able to replenish isolated populations and to save many pets left behind. Bagotville military quickly received support from other units of the Canadian Forces to assist the regional population.

In all, more than 750 air rescue missions evacuated over 3,000 residents using 14 helicopters with a total of 617 flight hours conducted by the Royal Canadian Air Force.

Following these evacuations, more than 800 people were hosted for a few days directly on the grounds of CFB Bagotville in a camp that was quickly set- up. Over 40,000 meals were served by the military during this disaster.

This chapter in the history of CFB Bagotville created profound ties between the people of the region to the military. Even 20 years later, this attachment is still present.