Snowblowers aren't just for snow. They are also 'de facto pumps' used to fight the flood

Snowblowers aren't just for snow, apparently. In le-Bizard, they are being used as makeshift pumps to blast out flood water seeping onto the island.

The machines used inle-Bizardtoblast floodwater into Rivire des Prairiescome from the borough of Saint-Laurent.

"Even though Saint-Laurentis landlocked, we are trying to help our neighbours," said Mayor Alan DeSousa.

The borough has supplied equipment and workers to flood-proneareas since April 18, when waters first began to rise.

On that first day, Saint-Laurent sent a truck, a forklift and two employeesto Ahuntsic-Cartiervilleto help move pallets of sandbags.

As the waters rose, the borough's contributions grew and the tasks evolved. On April22, DeSousa said, they sent out 21 trucks and heavy equipment,and 24 workers mostly blue collar staff, with a couple of foremen.

That was the first day they sent snowblowers, four of them, which act as "de facto pumps," DeSousa said.

Watch how it works:

Snowblowers are diverting floodwater in Montreal

5 years ago

Duration 0:17

It may be unconventional, but it's making an impact: snowblowers are helping keep homes dry on le-Bizard.

A consequence of the inter-borough helping hand initiatives is that some planned work within Saint-Laurent is getting held up, DeSousa said.

"If our staff is out there helping people in dire need, stuff like spring cleaning takes a little bit of a backseat."