North Shore largely spared as flood threat shifts elsewhere

Rising water levels hit Parc Moir in Deux-Montagnes, leaving infrastructure dipped in water on April 20 2026. Photo Matthew Daldalian

While recent dramatic images of flooded roads, evacuations and overflowing rivers emerged across parts of Quebec, many North Shore municipalities escaped major damage after days of closely watched rising water levels.

Officials in Deux-Montagnes, Boisbriand, Saint-Eustache and Bois-des-Filion have said that no homes had been flooded gravely locally, though emergency teams remained on standby and protective measures stayed in place as spring runoff continues.

The relative calm came as the Quebec government warned flood season is far from over.

“We are in a situation that is concerning when it comes to flooding, but I would like to reassure the public that everything is under control at the present time,” Premier Christine Fréchette said during a press conference in Saint-Eustache on April 19. “We are below the critical levels of precipitation.”

Fréchette added that flooding “is going to be a phenomenon that becomes more and more common” and said it is now part of Quebec’s reality because of climate change.

The broader provincial picture remained serious. Quebec authorities reported one major flood, several moderate floods and dozens of minor flooding events over the weekend, with regions including Outaouais, Argenteuil, Lanaudière and the Quebec City area under heightened watch. Around 600 residents across the province were reported isolated or affected by minor flooding as of Sunday morning.

On the North Shore, however, municipal preparations appeared to blunt the worst effects.

In an interview with The North Shore News, Deux-Montagnes Mayor Denis Martin said investments made after the devastating 2017 floods paid off.

“We worked on the problem since 2017, which was our last big flood,” Martin said. “So we installed a dike and also a retention basin for water.”

Those projects helped the city avoid flooding despite the recent surge, he said.

“With the measures we have, we were completely spared, so we have no problem.”

Martin said local water levels remained below the city’s protection threshold. As of Monday morning, he said levels sat at 24 metres while municipal protections extend to 25.7 metres.

“The highest peak that’s ever happened was 24.7 metres,” he said. “So we’re very, very well protected.”

In Boisbriand, municipal officials said water rose on Avenue des Mille-Îles and Terrasse Robert, but did not reach any residences.

“No flooding of buildings has taken place on our territory as of today,” communications adviser Gabrielle Malacket said in a written statement.

She added that crews were following the city’s emergency measures plan, monitoring water levels daily and keeping sandbags ready for distribution if needed.

Saint-Eustache remained under an orange alert on April 20, according to officials. The city said it had installed pumps in strategic areas, continued field inspections, tracked weather forecasts and monitored telemetry stations.

Municipal officials also urged residents to keep checking city communications and call 911 in emergencies.

In Bois-des-Filion, officials said no flooding had occurred, but crews remained active in vulnerable sectors. Preventive barriers were installed on 49th and 59th avenues as well as Terrasse Jobin, while sandbags and polyethylene were distributed to residents. Firefighters also went door-to-door in some areas to explain how to protect homes.

Hydrological conditions may have helped the North Shore avoid worse impacts. Meteorologist with Environment Canada, Julien Pellerin, speaking about regional monitoring, said no additional precipitation was expected and temperatures were not high enough to significantly accelerate snowmelt. Remaining water was expected to continue flowing toward Lac des Deux Montagnes.

Public Security Minister Ian Lafrenière also pointed to cooler weather as a stabilizing factor.

“The good news is that it’s cold,” Lafrenière told reporters on April 19. “We hope that with the cold weather, there will be less snowmelt.”

Vincent Duquette, a security adviser with Quebec’s Ministry of Public Security, said to media that regions facing heavier flooding were those where rivers and watersheds still held substantial snowpack. Weekend rain and warmth created added pressure on waterways in those areas. He said falling temperatures early this week could help stabilize or slightly lower river levels.

That does not mean local municipalities are relaxing.

Premier Fréchette previously said provincial teams are monitoring the situation hour by hour and remain in contact with mayors in closely watched areas.

“Our priority, of course, is to protect the public,” she said. “I invite people to remain attentive to how the situation develops.”

Montreal was also dealing with rising water in flood-prone areas.

In L’Île-Bizard–Sainte-Geneviève, the city closed the Île Mercier Bridge to vehicle traffic after water from the Rivière des Prairies rose over the crossing and affected nearby properties. The island has about 40 homes and 100 residents, according to local reporting.

Pierrefonds-Roxboro also kept its spring flooding information page active, urging residents in vulnerable areas to stay informed, prepare emergency plans and contact 311 if they needed shelter during an evacuation.

Elsewhere in Quebec, Rigaud, Gatineau and Mont-Tremblant were among the communities watching rising river levels, road closures and homes in known flood zones.

For North Shore residents, the past weeks served as a reminder that even when local impacts are limited, the region remains tied to a broader watershed system increasingly shaped by volatile spring weather.

Municipal leaders say infrastructure upgrades, planning and rapid communication made a difference this time. But they also acknowledge the season is not over.

For now, homes are dry and crews are watching the rivers so everyone else can attempt the increasingly rare modern luxury of sleeping quietly.