Quebec’s public security minister says flood situation improving gradually

Quebec’s public security minister says flood levels are gradually dropping, particularly in the western part of the province. (Photo: Martin Coiteux/Facebook)

MONTREAL — Quebec’s public security minister says flood levels are gradually dropping, particularly in the western part of the province.

But Martin Coiteux says things are expected to get back to normal only at the end of the month.

Coiteux told a news conference this morning that Quebecers must be realistic and realize things will not improve overnight.

So far, the heavy rains and melting snowpack across Quebec have flooded 2,733 residences in Quebec, forcing the evacuation of 1,940 people in 171 municipalities.

The floods have claimed at least one life in the province — a man whose car ended up in a surging river in the eastern Gaspe region.

Authorities are still searching for a two-year-old girl who disappeared in the same incident.