Risk of freezing rain as next system threatens Quebec

Saturday, February 27, 2016, 8:26 AM - Another significant system is en route as the cleanup continues in Quebec after a major winter storm dumped heavy snow and freezing rain across parts of the province. 

Wind warnings and snow squall watches remain in place for southern portions of Quebec ahead of the next storm forecast to hit the area Sunday.

A cold front is expected to sweep across the Gaspe Peninsula overnight Saturday and through the Lower North Shore Sunday morning. Along with a significant drop in temperatures, gusts could reach 90 km/h behind the front which could result in dangerous driving conditions.

“Brief, intense snowfall is expected to develop. Under the snow squall, visibilities will be significantly reduced due to the heavy snow combined with blowing snow,” Environment Canada reports Saturday. “The cold front will lie southeast of James Bay late this morning and will track across Abitibi and the Chibougamau region in the afternoon. It will reach Lake St-Jean early in the evening.”

Southern Quebec could see a wide swath of 10 cm of snow with a risk of freezing rain Sunday evening through Monday.

More than 95 per cent of customers affected by power outages from the previous storm have had service restored. As of 9 p.m. Friday, just over 2,800 people were still without power, with those in remote areas of the province expected to have lines repaired during the night, according to Hyrdo-Québec.

“Our crews are still on the field to restore service. We are sorry for the inconvenience and thank you for your patience,” Hyrdo-Québec tweeted.

The storm brought up to 15 cm of snow from Montreal to Quebec City through Wednesday. The precipitation shifted to prolonged freezing rain, coating tree limbs and power lines.

A state of emergency remains in effect for Beauceville after an ice jam caused the Chaudiére River to overflow about six metres above its normal level during the peak of flooding Thursday night. The city is located 90 km south of Quebec City.

About 200 people were forced to flee their homes with around 50 houses and business affected by flooding. As water levels are gradually receding, streets are expected to reopen Saturday.

A state of emergency in the town of Hudson was lifted shortly after 10 a.m. on Friday after power was restored there.

A precautionary evacuation was ordered in Drummondville for several waterfront homes along the Saint-Francois River due to water and ice. Flooding was also reported along the Coaticook River in the Eastern Townships.

TRAPPED IN THEIR OWN HOME

An Eastern Townships' family was trapped inside their own home after an ice jam on the Moe's River gave way Wednesday night. Water and ice quickly surrounded the home.

"The water pressure was so strong that the windows of the basement exploded Thursday night," MétéoMédia reports.

Remaining calm about the whole situation, the home owner says this is the third time their house has flooded since the beginning of February.

"We had it raised when we bought it. We knew very well ...that we were situation on a flood plain," home owner Kevin Ryan told the CBC. "But with climate change over the past few years, the floods that we used to see once every year or two are now happening more often."

Authorities in Waterville are assessing the situation, but Ryan says they (two of his children and a tenant) are prepared to live in this situation for the time being.