Two cottages and four boathouses have been destroyed after a landslide triggered a tsunami on Lac-des-Seize-Îles in southern Quebec. The incident happened at about 12.20 pm local time on Tuesday 15 April 2014, when a combination of heavy rainfall and a the spring thaw triggered a mudslide on a hill overlooking the lake, triggering a large wave (tsunami) that struck properties on the far side of the lake. Landslides are a common problem after severe weather events, as excess pore water pressure can overcome cohesion in soil and sediments, allowing them to flow like liquids. Approximately 90% of all landslides are caused by heavy rainfall.
One of the properties struck by the 15 April 2014 Lac-des-Seize-Îles tsunami. Montreal Gazette.
The properties affected are understood to be holiday homes not used in the winter, and there are no reports of any injuries associated with this event, although emergency services have reported difficulty reaching all the properties in the area, as the tsunami also washed out several roads around the lake. Quebec is currently suffering from a number of flooding-related incidents, due to the combination of heavy rainfall and a sudden spring thaw.
The approximate location of Lac-des-Seize-Îles. Google Maps.
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