Mould, sewage and ‘hazardous’ damage: Flood victims turn to volunteers for help

The smell was becoming intolerable for Nydia Ceron after her basement was flooded by the heavy rain from tropical storm Debby’s remains.

The 65-year-old resident of Montreal’s Pierrefonds-Roxboro borough was left alone to deal with the aftermath. The flood destroyed many of her belongings, including a bed, couch, and cherished memorabilia.

“She has been trying to get answers from her insurance company, but no one has responded,” said her neighbor Alma Williams. “She had sewage water in her basement, which is not safe, especially at her age. That’s why I decided to help her.”

The presence of potential black mold in Ceron’s water-damaged basement is a major concern. Authorities are unsure if it’s safe for her to remain in her home.

Pierrefonds-Roxboro city councillor Benoit Langevin is leading a team of volunteers to assist residents affected by the storm.

They are focused on aiding vulnerable individuals, particularly seniors, caregivers, people with disabilities, and pregnant women in need of assistance. Langevin has received calls from various individuals seeking help.

“I visited homes where the air was so bad that your eyes would burn,” Langevin mentioned.

Ceron was one of the many residents who received prompt assistance from the volunteers after her neighbor sought help on her behalf.

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“I’m so grateful to see them,” Ceron expressed her gratitude.

As of Wednesday, the volunteers had visited 56 homes in the borough. Residents with flooded basements are dealing with strong odors, according to Langevin.

“As the day goes on, the smell gets worse, and many people are unsure about the next steps,” Langevin stated.

‘They need to support communities like ours’

The aftermath of tropical storm Debby caused extensive damage in Quebec, with thousands of homes flooded and roads washed out. Over 550,000 customers experienced power outages during the storm, which brought up to 200 millimeters of rain in some areas within 24 hours.

Parts of Montreal received as much as 173 millimeters of rain, as reported by Environment Canada. In Pierrefonds-Roxboro, the streets are filled with discarded and contaminated items.

Mayor Jim Beis emphasized that the volunteer team and local services cannot handle the situation alone. The 311 helpline has been overwhelmed with calls, and the fire department is struggling to keep up.

Beis raised concerns about the lack of support from the City of Montreal during the crisis. He called for emergency declarations to access additional resources and provide temporary shelter for those in hazardous areas.

2:02Acute flooding prompts questions from Pierrefonds residents

When contacted by Global News, Montreal Mayor Valérie Plante’s office referred to her recent statements defending the city’s response to the flooding.

Plante assured that the city is working to improve flood infrastructure and will continue supporting flood victims.

“If there are residents who wanted me to be present, I apologize,” Plante stated. “But our actions demonstrate our commitment.”

Mayor Beis criticized the provincial financial aid program for flood victims, calling it complex and unclear. He urged the Quebec government to provide more assistance.

“They must step in and support communities like ours for the well-being of our citizens,” Beis emphasized.

On Thursday, Quebec Premier François Legault defended his delayed visit to flood-affected areas, hinting at expanding government funding eligibility for affected residents.

— with files from The Canadian Press

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