A week after massive storms caused widespread flooding on Montreal's West Island, residents are growing increasingly frustrated as piles of garbage and debris accumulate along streets, with cleanup efforts expected to take weeks.
Growing garbage piles spark health and safety concerns
The flooding, which struck on June 20, damaged countless homes and businesses, forcing residents to discard waterlogged furniture, appliances, and other belongings. As curbside piles grow, concerns about odors, pests, and potential health hazards are rising.
“I’ve never seen anything like this,” said Pierrefonds resident Marie-Claude Tremblay. “The garbage is everywhere, and it’s starting to smell. We need the city to step up and help us.”
City response and timeline for cleanup
Montreal city officials acknowledge the backlog and have deployed additional crews, but warn that full cleanup could take several weeks. “We understand the frustration,” said a city spokesperson. “We are working as quickly as possible, but the volume of debris is unprecedented.”
Residents are urged to separate hazardous materials like electronics and chemicals from regular waste to speed up collection. The city has also set up temporary drop-off points for specific items.
Impact on daily life and local businesses
Many West Island businesses remain closed or are operating with limited capacity due to flood damage and blocked access. Local shop owner David Chen said, “We lost everything in the basement. Now we can’t even get the trash out because the bins are overflowing.”
Some neighborhoods report that garbage trucks cannot navigate narrow streets clogged with debris, further delaying pickup. The city advises patience and promises daily updates on progress.
