Beauceville Faces Major Flooding Threat Amid Record Heat

Several rivers across the Chaudière-Appalaches region of Quebec are under close scrutiny this week after unseasonably warm weather and heavy rainfall have caused significant flooding. The situation escalated overnight on March 15-16, 2025, when residents of Beauceville were faced with overflowing waters from the Chaudière River, exacerbated by the formation of ice jams.

By Sunday evening, the river, which flows through the heart of Beauceville, had reached the average flood threshold according to the local monitoring system. Streets and parking lots near the river became inundated with water, prompting officials to close several downtown roads, including the Joseph-Édouard-Fortin Bridge, which spans the river.

Adding to the urgency was the record warmth observed on March 16, when temperatures climbed to 20.1 °C, making Beauceville the hottest spot in Quebec. Environment and Climate Change Canada had reported this exceptional temperature increase, which contributed to rapid snowmelt and rising water levels.

Late Sunday, municipal authorities acted swiftly, advising residents and local business owners to evacuate. Emergency shelters were opened at the EJM-René-Bernard arena for those displaced by the floodwaters. Emergency services confirmed they had evacuated about 25 residents from the most affected areas.

Daniel Fortin, the Beauceville Fire Chief, stated early on March 17, "Since 1 a.m., the water level has stopped rising. The only hope we have is for the ice jam, which stretches approximately three kilometers north of Beauceville, to move." Fortin's assurance brought some relief, but the threats from the ice jam and rising waters remained and crews continued to monitor the situation closely.

Further downstream, the waters of the Chaudière River prompted surveillance measures at nearby locations, including Saint-Joseph-de-Beauce, Vallée-Jonction, and Scott, where river levels were also on the rise. Around 6:00 AM on Monday, emergency services were dispatched to Saint-Henri for flooding caused by the Etchemin River. Bruno Caron, director of the Saint-Henri Fire Service, reported evacuations were conducted to protect about fifteen homes.

Conditions remained perilous not just at Beauceville and Saint-Henri. Additional warnings were issued across the region, with schools temporarily shuttered by the Centre de services scolaire de Beauce-Etchemin. The Saint-François high school and the De Léry and Monseigneur-De Laval elementary schools were closed, though daycare services persisted.

The situation worsened as water levels surged due to the rapid thaw and rainfall. Reports indicated some areas experienced up to 38 mm of rainfall on the weekend, which only intensified flood risks. Consequently, by Monday morning, the local flood monitoring team declared minor flooding thresholds had been reached, prompting continuous warnings.

Mayors and municipal leaders were vocal about long-term solutions. Serge Vallée, the city manager of Beauceville, highlighted the community's continual struggle with flooding, referencing the severe floods of 2019 when about 300 residents had to be evacuated. The city's infrastructure had suffered extensive damage, prompting the demolition of nearly one hundred buildings to mitigate future risks.

Indeed, for many residents like Sandy Drolet, store owner of Dépanneur Beauceville, history was repeating itself. "We were close to losing everything back in 2019; we spent two months trying to rebuild. And now, it’s happening again," she lamented as she described her frantic efforts to save her merchandise by getting it off the ground.

Another resident, Marc Bernatchez, faced similar misfortune. Having relocated after losing his home during the last significant flood, he discovered his new apartment had also been inundated. "I thought we had escaped, but here we are again," he sighed.

Call for government action was strong, with Beauceville's Mayor François Veilleux appealing for assistance to help relocate vulnerable communities away from flood-prone areas. He emphasized the importance of ensuring the foundations of Beauceville were not rebuilt on unstable land, saying, "We need help. It’s not easy to rebuild this town. We can’t do it overnight. When the land is cleared, we will put measures to prevent rebuilding on flood zones."

Other municipalities across Quebec, including Drummondville and Nicolet, also faced looming threats of flooding. Drummondville declared a state of alert on March 17, advising residents from 300 buildings near the rising Saint-François River to evacuate, as higher water levels were expected throughout the day. Resources were being allocated to monitor and mitigate flooding risks proactively.

Shared experiences of concern and resilience bind these communities as they navigate the threats posed by unpredictable weather patterns and the realities of climate change. Citizens who have endured forced evacuations and rising waters are once again at the mercy of nature's wrath. While city officials strive to manage immediate risks, the call for long-term solutions becomes increasingly pressing.

Between sandbagging efforts, emergency services, and government appeals for financial assistance, these regions remain vigilant. The Health Ministry announced advisory measures for local drinking water supplies, and residents have been cautioned about potential contamination due to flooding impacting water treatment facilities.

The next few days will be pivotal as these regions respond to the rising waters, striving for both safety today and resilience for tomorrow.