Spring flooding claims 1 victim in western Quebec

A woman in her 70s is dead after floodwaters washed out a road in the municipality of Pontiac, Que., overnight.

Authorities in the small town on the north shore of the Ottawa River, roughly 45 kilometres west of Ottawa, confirmed the death on Twitter Saturday morning.

Police said the woman was driving on Bronson-Bryant Road when her vehicle plunged several metres into a stream after a culvert was washed away.

WATCH: Road washed out by floodwaters in Quebec town

1:24 Road washed out by floodwaters in Quebec town

In a news release, the Public Security Service of the MRC des Collines-de-l’Outaouais confirmed the woman was alone in her vehicle and she was unable to avoid the fall.

It was other motorists who reported the incident to police.

Police said they were unable to assist the victim.

Police said she was taken to hospital, where her death was confirmed.

READ MORE: Canadian Armed Forces, federal government will help Quebec fight spring flooding

Police say the incident is still under investigation.

At a press conference Saturday morning, Quebec Public Security Minister Geneviève Guilbault offered her condolences to the family of the victim.

“It’s obviously tragic and all our thoughts are with the family,” she said, adding the Sûreté du Québec was investigating the death.

Guilbault reiterated that Tranports Québec was ready and available to provide technical support to municipalities that need it.

Pontiac, in conjunction with the municipality of Val-des-Monts, declared states of emergency Friday afternoon in response to “rising water levels and anticipated flooding due to continued rain fall and the spring melt.”

Both municipalities have opened on-site emergency coordination centres. Val-des-Monts has also opened an emergency shelter at town hall located at 1 du Carrefour St.

WATCH: Flooding in Rigaud, Quebec as heavy rain falls

1:22 Flooding in Rigaud, Quebec as heavy rain falls

Authorities say the shelter is for people who are leaving their homes because of the flooding.

In Pontiac, sandbags and sand are available at three locations:

• Pontiac city hall, Luskville
• The public works garage in Quyon
• Breckenridge Fire Hall

Any volunteers are being asked to check the town’s Facebook page for updates.

— With files from the Canadian Press