A significant water main break sent torrents of water gushing through the streets of Montreal’s east end today early Friday morning, leading to widespread flooding, the evacuation of homes and offices, and a boil water advisory affecting approximately 150,000 residents. The incident, which occurred near the Jacques Cartier Bridge, has plunged parts of the city into chaos as emergency crews work to contain the damage and ensure public safety.
The water main that burst is reported to be an 84-inch pipe, installed in 1985, which runs beneath the densely populated area of Montreal’s east end. The break resulted in a powerful geyser of water shooting several meters into the air, overwhelming local drainage systems and flooding the surrounding streets, homes, and businesses.
The sudden flooding also led to power outages in the area, with Hydro-Québec cutting electricity to nearly 14,000 customers as a precautionary measure. Firefighters responded quickly, going door-to-door to ensure residents evacuated safely. Many people, caught off guard by the early morning disruption, were forced to find temporary shelter or alternative locations to continue their work.
“The water main break is under control,” Mayor Valérie Plante stated, though the sheer volume of water involved has complicated efforts to fully shut off the flow. Emergency crews are working to gradually reduce the water pressure, a process that could take several hours, if not longer.
The full extent of the damage will likely not be known until the water is fully contained and the area thoroughly inspected. For now, the residents of Montreal’s east end are left dealing with the immediate challenges of flooding, power outages, and the uncertainty of when normalcy will return.