The Montreal Flood Of 1886: An Entire City Underwater (Photos)
Lately people have been complaining a lot about the weather.
But when you think about it, a little bit of cold rain is nothing to cry about, especially when your consider the weather problems Montreal used to have.
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The year is 1886 and Montreal wishes the snow was the biggest issue, but in reality, it's when the snow starts melting that shit really hits the fan.
So much logging activity has taken place near the Outaouais River, that nothing is holding back the melting snow from leaking into the Saint Lawrence River. All that extra water dislodges ice chunks that begin piling up in the old port, which redirects water towards the lower parts of the island.
The result is devastating.
The water level rises so much that everything south of Beaver Hall gets submerged. In some areas, the water level is up to 1,2 meters high!
It's not just the basements that are flooded, the ground floor levels and lobbies are also under water. Businesses and factories are forced to close down, and those are just the immediate effects.
There's water damage all over the place, the wood is rotting and moisture is building up everywhere. People start developing health problems and businesses lose so much money that many workers lose their jobs.
So why don't we get that kind flooding in Montreal anymore?
Well in 1891, Montreal decided to build what they call la "Jetée du Havre". It's basically a wharf that serves as a dam to protect the city from flooding. The name has since been changed to the "Jetée Mackay".
So the next time you're about to complain about the crappy weather, look down. Are you standing in a meter of water?
No?
Then have a coke and smile, and shut the fuck up.
