Several residents of La Baie evacuated worried about their future

The meeting took place at the Théâtre du Palais municipal, in La Baie, located very close to the evacuated area. Municipal authorities informed residents of the assistance available and the steps being considered. A first meeting took place on Sunday at the same place.

There are now 192 citizens evacuated, according to the latest report from Saguenay. The City counts a total of 95 addresses affected within the established perimeter, where an evacuation order for 53 additional residences was given on Saturday evening. A landslide swept away a house a week ago in this area.

More than 70 buildings are now evacuated. Authorities said this weekend that the evacuations could last for weeks or even months.

Citizens met asked themselves several questions at the end of the meeting organized by the authorities.

I see it in their eyes, then I understand them. They are also in panic mode, we can be with us. Just to see their eyes, like the mayor, whom we saw, and Madame Laforest, whom I thank very much mentioned an evacuated resident.

Under current programs, evacuees have access to assistance of $20 per day, as well as a maximum total of $260,000, in case of compensation for a house and land. Premier François Legault said Monday that Quebec is studying the improvement of aid programs.

When are we going to get home? I do not know. It could take weeks, it could take months. […] That’s why I say, when they come to you with $20, no. It’s a peanutas I tell myselfexpressed another evacuated resident.

Many wonder if the compensation will be sufficient in the event of the loss of their home.

” Me, from what I can see with my house, with the land we have, with the quality of the house we have, I won’t have a house like I have here, that’s for sure and certain. »

Waiting to find out more about what awaits them and the future of their residence, victims and evacuees are trying to find a home where they can stay after being taken care of by the Red Cross. Aid from the Red Cross was also extended on Monday. It was initially limited to three days.

This is the case of Alex Gagnon, whose mother has a disability, and who is looking for temporary housing for his family and his animals.

Families have been rehoused in housing identified by the Municipal Housing Office (OMH) of Saguenay, which has formed an emergency unit. On Sunday, around thirty dwellings had been identified.

A house bought in the fall

Marie-Josée Olsen, who has also been evacuated since Saturday, was able to move in with her mother after having had to leave the house she bought last November in the area.

She says she is in no rush to return to her new residence.

” I was told at the start that there was no doubt, that’s why I was not part of the first two waves of evacuation. After that, all of a sudden we went from no doubt to imminent risk. That’s something that bothers me, then even still bothers me. »

I’d be called tomorrow and said, “We’ve revised the perimeter, do you want to go back to your house?” and I’d definitely wait a while before going back.she added.

Concerned residents neighboring the perimeter

Residents who are still on their property, very close to the evacuated area, are also on the alert. One of them says he has already packed his bags, just in case.

We are ready for an eventual evacuation if necessary. We prepared for that. We packed our bags, as if we were going on a trip for a few weeks somewhere. My tools are moved, our winter laundry too says a citizen met in the sector.

Others are more confident. The embankment is checked every year back so I trust what we are toldsays an owner who lives nearby.

I have no fears. I can’t wait to get the results [des analyses]but I have no fears mentions another.

With information from Julianne Gagnon, Priscilla Plamondon Lalancette, Ainhoa ​​Ibarrola and Louis Martineau