Major water main break near Jacques-Cartier bridge floods streets

A major water main break flooded parts of downtown Montreal near the Jacques-Cartier bridge Friday morning. 

Notre-Dame Street has been blocked off as of the intersection at Frontenac Street. Montreal's fire department says morning traffic will be seriously impacted as the break "is really major." 

There is major flooding near the intersection of Ste-Catherine Street and de Lorimier Avenue, as well as on René-Lévesque Boulevard.

Police asked commuters to avoid the area and the city recommends residents not drink tap water for the time being.

Hydro-Québec preventatively cut off power in the area at the request of emergency services, leaving 12,515 clients without electricity. 

The Société de transport de Montréal (STM) said several routes have been affected, namely the 10, 15, 45, 150, 410 and 430 buses. 

Papineau Metro station is still functional and precautionary measures like installing sand bags have been taken. 

Montreal fire department chief Martin Guilbault said evacuations of nearby buildings are underway to make sure everyone is safe. Firefighters are also making sure live power lines don't get into the water on the street as they work to dry it out. 

He says it's too early to know what caused the break.

"Stay safe, don't cross the water, respect perimeters for now and let us do our job and as soon as possible we will get your houses pumped," he said.

Water was seen flowing from the street into the St. Lawrence River.

On X, Montreal Mayor Valérie Plante urged people to avoid the area and said all hands are on deck to get the situation under control. 

"All teams have been mobilized on the ground to identify the cause, close the valves and plan the repairs," she posted.

Eugene Shaeelmikov lives in the are and went out to get pastries for breakfast when he saw the chaos on the street. He told CBC he expects his home to be "completely flooded by now" since his garage and unit are underground.