Ontario and Quebec communities continue sandbagging as forecast calls for rain
Written by The Canadian Press on April 19, 2026
Rain forecasts for parts of Ontario and Quebec are heightening the sense of urgency for residents with flood-prone properties, as communities deal with washouts and closed bridges and help people prepare by opening sandbag-filling stations.
An Environment Canada special weather statement called for precipitation between 10 and 25 centimetres up until Sunday for a region stretching from south of Quebec City to Lake Ontario, and a rainfall warning was in effect for a large area north of Ottawa.
The Township of Minden Hills in Haliburton County said a state of emergency remains in effect and that bridges in Minden Hills across the Gull River will stay closed until further notice. However, an update posted on Saturday said a washout affecting access for emergency vehicles has been repaired.
The township says the province has arranged for Global Medic, a disaster relief charity, and the Ontario Corps to fill sandbags in the community.
The City of North Bay said Friday that a flood watch has been issued for the shoreline of Lake Nipissing.
Flood warnings have been in effect from Sault Ste. Marie to Peterborough, while in Quebec, officials in Montreal said Friday that water levels on the Outaouais and des Prairies rivers were rising and may spill their banks in the coming days.
This report by The Canadian Press was first published April 18, 2026.
The Canadian Press