Montreal’s hidden rivers resurface as recent floods disrupt highways

Montreal’s recent record rainfall exposed the locations of buried rivers, leading to severe flooding on city roads and neighborhoods, particularly on Highway 40.

Verity Stevenson reports for CBC News.

In short:

• Montreal received up to 158 millimeters of rain in 24 hours, causing widespread flooding.
• Old maps reveal that rivers now confined underground contributed to the flooding of Highway 40.
• Urban planners suggest that better infrastructure and green solutions could mitigate future flooding.

Key quote:

“Our topography recalls the presence of these waterways.”

— Pascale Rouillé, urban planner and the founder of Les Ateliers Ublo

Why this matters:

As climate change leads to heavier rains, Montreal’s outdated infrastructure struggles to manage water, raising the risk of more frequent and severe flooding in the future.

Related EHN coverage:

• Midwest floods highlight infrastructure vulnerabilities nationwide
• Government aid falls short for small farms after floods
• Floods expose vulnerabilities in homeless communities forced to marginal areas