Garbage from flood frustrating West Island residents, cleanup could take weeks

A week after massive storms caused flooding on Montreal's West Island, garbage piles are growing and causing concern.

Jeffrey Gallant likes sitting on his front porch, but these days the view is not what it used to be.

Just steps from his home in Dollard-des-Ormeaux (DDO) in Montreal’s West Island, ripped-up drywall, mouldy furniture, and garbage bags are just some of the things piling up on the sidewalk.

“The place is not smelling very good right now,” said Gallant.

He worries the smell might attract animals and rodents.

The pile-up of debris is the result of last week’s flood.

Last Saturday, the West Island was hit with heavy rain. Environment Canada recorded approximately 150 millimetres of rain falling in a short period of time. The downpour caused widespread flooding in DDO.

This morning, residents were still in the process of cleaning up. That said, debris piling up outside is becoming its own problem, and they are getting fed up.

“I don’t know what the city’s plan of action is, but I hope they’ll take action very soon,” said resident Andrew Philippakopoulos.

DDO Mayor Alex Bottausci called the scale of the cleanup “quite overwhelming” and that it could take a “good few weeks” before it’s cleared.

Bottausci said the city has been lining up contractors to tackle the cleanup as quickly as possible, and neighbouring municipalities are pitching in as well.

“Beaconsfield, Kirkland and Dorval have locked in, and they’ll be sending in some crews as well,” he said.

Late in the morning, cleanup trucks were spotted on Lake Street.

Bottausci said the city will hold a public information session on Aug. 6 to discuss plans for infrastructure improvements going forward.