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As climate change leads to heavier rains, Montreal’s outdated infrastructure struggles to manage water, raising the risk of more frequent and severe flooding in the future.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