Cleanup effort on Île-Mercier hampered by bridge closure
Residents left guessing when island will have clear passage after May 5 flooding
It has been 11 days since their bridge was first closed to traffic, and Île-Mercier residents have no idea when or if they will be able to drive to their island again.
The bridge from Île-Bizard — first closed to cars because of flooding on May 5 — still had sections under water on Tuesday. The bridge was open to foot traffic from 8 a.m. to 8 p.m. Emergency vehicles were permitted on the bridge, and the city allowed passage for a truck to collect household waste.
For island resident Sonia Brown, who abandoned her home during the flood, not being able to drive on the bridge makes the cleanup much more difficult.
“The island has dried up, but a lot of houses still have a lot of water and they are pumping it out now,” said Brown, who believes it will be a few days or even weeks before she can live in her house again. “There is still lots of garbage out on the roads and it smells nasty.”
City spokesperson Philippe Sabourin said engineers have been monitoring the bridge, but because the water level is still high, they have not been able to do a complete check.
He said it will still be a few days before the inspectors can take a look at its underside. After that, engineers must analyze their findings to determine whether the bridge is strong enough for cars.
Brown, who has lived on the island with her husband, David, for four years, has to repair her pipes, electrical panel and hot water tank, which had been submerged.
She said she’s waiting to hear whether her insurance will cover the damage, and what sort of compensation will come from the Quebec government. A friend has also started a GoFundMe page with a goal of raising $13,000, but she figures she won’t be fully covered for all the damages she incurred.
Brown also complained the city is not helping her get rid of the sandbags in front of her home.
“Sandbags are 60 pounds, and with water, they are 80, and it’s just me and my husband,” she said. “We can’t move them all alone.”
Some residents of Île-Mercier have hundreds of sandbags around their homes.
Krista Venafro a resident of Roxboro also affected by flooding, said she is concerned about her elderly neighbours, many of whom got help to build walls of sandbags, but they now have to move the bags themselves.
“I don’t know how they are going to manage,” Venafro said.
A lot of houses still have a lot of water ... (there) is still lots of garbage out on the roads and it smells nasty.
For more information about financial support for flooding victims call 1 888 643-2433 or visit www.urgencequebec.gouv.qc.ca.