Violent Thunderstorms Paralyze Quebec with Floods, Evacuations, and Power Outages
Today has been a shocking day for many residents of Quebec City and the surrounding areas. I'm standing here, still processing the extent of what’s happened since this morning. Violent thunderstorms swept across the Capitale-Nationale and Chaudière-Appalaches regions, leaving behind a trail of destruction, chaos, and an urgent call for caution. Honestly, it felt like the skies just opened up without mercy.
By mid-morning, torrential rain began to fall—relentlessly. In just over an hour, parts of Quebec had received more than 70 millimeters of rain. Streets that were dry just minutes before turned into rivers. In Lévis and central Quebec City, the water rose so quickly that cars were submerged up to their hoods. I saw footage showing whirlpools forming in Montcalm and entire streets like the Chemin du Foulon underwater. Emergency crews had to evacuate several homes, and the fire department’s rescue teams were out in full force, helping residents reach safety.
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Power outages were widespread. At the peak, nearly 5,000 households were left in the dark according to Hydro-Québec. Trees fell, underground sewers backed up, and key roads like Côte de la Pente-Douce, Avenue Belvédère, and even parts of Autoroute 20 had to be shut down due to dangerous flooding and structural concerns. Some areas even saw sections of roads buckle and give way under the pressure of water-soaked ground.
It wasn’t just flooding, though. Environment Canada had issued severe thunderstorm alerts earlier, warning of heavy rain, large hail, dangerous lightning, and yes—even a possible tornado risk. The humidity and oppressive heat were off the charts, with humidex values pushing the perceived temperatures close to 40 degrees Celsius. That kind of heat is the perfect fuel for violent storm cells, and today, we saw the full impact of that combination.
Authorities were overwhelmed with calls. The Quebec 911 system received a flood—no pun intended—of requests, and people were urged to use 311 for non-emergency issues. Over in Lévis, the situation was just as bad. Sewer overflows, submerged streets, and a shattered bus shelter were just a few of the signs of how powerful the storm had been. Though some calm returned in the afternoon, the risk is not over. Environment Canada warned that more storm cells could develop into the evening, potentially pushing rainfall totals to over 100 millimeters in some areas.
Looking around, it’s clear this wasn’t just a summer storm—it was a wake-up call. Nature, when it wants to, can take over everything in mere minutes. The message from authorities is clear: don’t take risks. Don’t drive through flooded streets. Stay inside if possible. Follow updates. And check on vulnerable neighbors.
This is the kind of day where you truly understand the power of weather—and how quickly life can be disrupted. Let’s all stay alert and hope that calmer skies return soon.
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