Debby in Canada: Heavy rain hits Quebec, Ontario as remnants of tropical storm move in

The remnants of tropical storm Debby made landfall in eastern Canada, where parts of Quebec and Ontario were already drenched by heavy rain early Friday.

Environment Canada issued a swath of warnings for the two provinces with upwards of 100 millimetres of rain expected in some areas.

A low pressure system is passing through Southern Ontario and Quebec with alerts in effect from Cornwall, Ont., through to Quebec City about the risk of flash flooding. Minor landslides are also a possibility in some areas, according to the weather agency.

Environment Canada said “significant rainfall amounts” had already fallen by 10 a.m. in southern Quebec, after its forecasts had already been revised upwards. By that time, parts of the greater Montreal area had already received up to 80 millimetres of rain — with that potentially rising to as much as 120 millimetres by the end of the day.

In Montreal, flooding hit some roads during the morning commute. Quebec’s Transport Ministry warned parts of major streets and off-ramps were temporarily off limits to drivers in the city, including sections of highways 40 and 19.

“Make sure you’re slowing down, more space in front of you, make sure you’re visible,” said Louis-André Bertrand, a spokesperson for ministry.

“It’s basically the same advice we give during a snowstorm.”

Shortly before 10 a.m., the downpour also caused damage to an on-ramp at the Jacques-Cartier Bridge, a major span connecting Montreal with its south shore. Emergency work will be carried out to fix the stretch of road and motorists were asked to steer clear of the area.

Dangerous flood situation setting up today across southern Quebec with an additional 100-150mm of rain concentrated on the north side of the St Lawrence Valley. This