Flood risk rises for Quebec's Richelieu Valley

Quebec emergency officials are bracing for more flooding and evacuations in the Richelieu Valley on Tuesday as forecasters warn of heavy rains and strong winds.

Flood warnings were in effectacross the Montrgie region, including the Richelieu River, Lake Champlain and the Acadie River.

Forecasters are predicting that 30 to 70 millimetres of rain could fall across the region south of Montrealover the course of the day.

Provincial civil security officials believe the rainfall could increase the level of the alreadyoverflowing Richelieu River by more than 20 centimetres by Wednesday.

Already more than 2,000 homes in the region have been flooded in recent days.

About 400 people havebeen told to leave their homes in St-Jean-sur-Richelieu, Saint-Anne-de-Sabrevois, St-Paul-de-l'le-aux-Noix and Lacolle.

Civilsecurity officialsexpect more voluntary evacuations will be issued on Tuesday.

The streets of St-Jean-sur-Richelieu, the largest community in the area, were lined with sandbags on Tuesday morning.

Manon Nadeau, who lives on Beaulieu Street, said the flooding in the area was the worst she had seen in the20 yearsshe's lived in the area.

The Quebec government has said it will offer financial assistance to flooded communities.

Thirty-eight communities in the province are eligible, with one-third of them in the Montrgie.

Flood warnings were also in effect Tuesday for areas south of theSt. Lawrence River, including the Eastern Townships, the Beauce andRimouski.