Ottawa declares state of emergency as waters swell

Rising waters were prompting further evacuations in central Canada on Thursday, with the mayor of the country’s capital, Ottawa, declaring a state of emergency.

Quebec authorities warned that a hydroelectric dam was at risk of breaking.

Prime Minister Justin Trudeau visited with flood victims in Gatineau, Quebec, saying communities have to “reflect that with climate change we are going to see more and more of these extreme weather events more regularly”.

‘Once again we’re we’re here noticing and noting how the floods across the country are a challenge here in Quebec and elsewhere. We need to make sure that we’re continuing to work well. All orders of government — municipal, provincial and federal, as we are — to ensure that we’re keeping people safe and supporting them through these difficult moments.

‘It (Climat Change) means we have to think about adaptation, mitigation and how we’re going to move forward together,” he added.