Route 307 Shut Down in Val‑des‑Monts After Sudden Flooding

When the clouds finally broke open early Wednesday morning, few residents of Val‑des‑Monts could have guessed the chaos that would soon unfold on Route 307. By mid‑day, the highway—one of the main arteries linking the town to neighboring communities—was underwater, forcing the Ministry of Transport to issue an immediate closure.

According to local authorities, the flooding was caused by a rapid accumulation of rainwater in the low‑lying section of the road near the Rivière du Suivre. "The water rose faster than we could react," said Marie‑Claude Bouchard, a spokesperson for the regional emergency services. "Our priority is safety, so we had to shut the road and set up detours within the hour."

Drivers heading south toward Saint‑Thérèse‑des‑Cochères were redirected onto Route 322 and a series of side streets that wind through the town. While the detour adds roughly ten minutes to a typical commute, officials say it's the safest option until the water recedes.

Local businesses have felt the pinch too. "We normally get a steady stream of customers from commuters passing through," said Jean‑François Lévesque, owner of a café near the closed stretch. "We're hoping the road opens soon, but in the meantime, we're just trying to stay afloat—literally and figuratively."

The closure is expected to last at least 24 hours, though engineers are monitoring the situation closely. "If the water level drops to a safe point, we'll reassess and possibly reopen earlier," Bouchard added. In the meantime, residents are encouraged to avoid the area if possible and follow updates on the Ministry's website or local radio stations.

As the rain finally begins to ease, the community watches anxiously, hoping the floodwaters will retreat and Route 307 will be back in service—so life can return to its usual rhythm, even if the occasional pothole reminder lingers.