'I know it's extremely difficult,' says public safety minister after flooding

People continue to feel the effects of rainstorm People are still feeling the effects of Friday’s rainstorm, with more than 2,300 homes damaged.

Quebec's public security minister says the province is experiencing an "extremely difficult" period of climate-related disasters.

Francois Bonnardel spoke to reporters this morning from Ste-Julienne, Que., a small community 55 kilometres north of Montreal that was one of many Quebec municipalities hit by torrential rain last week.

Bonnardel says the situation has improved in recent days, but 34 municipalities and 53 roads are still affected by the record-breaking rainfall.

The minister says Quebec has suffered from a number of extreme weather events in the last several years, including intense spring flooding in 2017 and 2019 and forest fires last summer.

Bonnardel called on insurance companies to "be present" for their customers who are looking for answers and need to talk to someone.

The minister met this morning with mayors from the region before holding his first press conference since Friday's rainfall.

C’était important pour moi d’aller à Ste-Julienne dans Lanaudière aujourd’hui afin de rencontrer les maires de la MRC Montcalm pour faire le point sur la situation à la suite des pluies abondantes de la semaine dernière et pour aller constater les dégâts. J’ai pu m’assurer que… pic.twitter.com/KE8Njr8bwo

— François Bonnardel (@fbonnardelCAQ) August 14, 2024

-- This report by The Canadian Press was first published on Aug. 14, 2024.