Several weeks for cleanup following flooding in Quebec’s Eastern Townships

MONTREAL – It will take several weeks for two southeastern Quebec communities to clean up after flooding caused by heavy rains late Tuesday.

Most of the damage from the flooding along the Coaticook River, south of Sherbrooke, was centered in the communities of Coaticook and Compton, about 12 kilometres downstream.

Several parked cars were swept away by flood waters and a number of citizens were forced from their homes in both communities.

There were no reported injuries, but one person had to be rescued by firefighters after his vehicle ended up in the middle of the river.

Municipal authorities are pleading with the provincial government to come up with permanent solutions to deal with the flooding.

Dozens of roads remained closed on Wednesday.