Que. Floods Recedes As More Soldiers Arrive

Over the last few weeks, water levels in Southeastern Quebec have been fluctuating from high, to receding, and back to high again.  Last week, the water levels were beginning to recede when it started to rain, and the wind picked-up, which put water levels to an all-time high.  Later on Tuesday afternoon, it was announced that flood waters had receded by 18 centimetres in 24 hours.  A trend meteorologists predicts that this will continue for a few more days ahead.  The flooding began in early May, and has so far forced-out 1,000 people from their homes, and has flooded more than 3,000 homes since.  On Monday the water levels reached a high, as high gusting winds pushed water into the already full Richelieu, from Lake Champlain.  Soldiers from The Canadian Army have been sent into help with relief events, and provide help where necessary.  Two hundred and fifty new reserve soldiers arrived from CFB Valcartier to help with relief effort, which now puts the number of military personnel at 500 military personnel in the area.  The military personnel arrived, after Quebec Premier, Jean Charest, asked for more help in the relief area's on Monday, and the next day the soldiers arrived.

I believe that this is a very unfortunate matter, which cannot not entirely be prevented, but certain steps, and measures can, and have-to be taken to ensure there is no loss of life, or injury, and reduce the amount of property damage.  I believe that having soldiers sent to the flooded area's to try, and help with problems in the area is an excellent choice, since the more people to help, the better.  This adds more people for sandbagging, and other relief efforts.  This matter is hard to prevent entirely, but by having a detailed evacuation plan that all of the residents in area's that have been flooded before, and this time, would help with a safe evacuation of all of the residents.  To prevent property damage, it is a bit harder, as water is harder to control, especially when there is so much of it, but some improvements could include, building more dikes to try,and maintain the water in heavily hit area's, now, and prior floods.  I believe that this is a very unfortunate matter, but there are a very safety precautions that can be taken to reduce to the injury, and loss of life, and to property.

Link: http://www.cbc.ca/news/canada/montreal/story/2011/05/24/flooding-quebec-richelieu.html