When Erol Araf’s basement filled with water in 2024, the Pierrefonds resident spent tens of thousands of dollars above and beyond his insurance payout to do everything the city suggested to prevent flooding in the future.

So when deluvian rains inundated his home for a second time in June — and he was nearly pinned under his tipping dryer as he attempted to stop it from floating away — Araf knew what was at fault this time.

“The problem is not what I’m doing inside the house,” he said in an interview. “The problem is inadequate infrastructure and the fact that they have known for almost 20 years that the climate change would cause this problem.”

Araf is among the West Island residents who have had it up to here with repeated flooding and are now pressing all levels of government to act.

They’re seeking authorization for not one but two class-action lawsuits against Dollard-des-Ormeaux and the city of Montreal.

They showed up at the Pierrefonds-Roxboro borough council meeting Monday to demand accountability from borough mayor Jim Beis, who is also responsible for public security and prevention on Montreal’s executive committee.

And Araf has drafted a manifesto that calls on the city, Quebec and federal governments to come together to support affected residents with emergency relief funds, develop a comprehensive water infrastructure plan, and be more transparent with the public about risks,........

© Montreal Gazette