The families live in 24 homes that were built under a cliff on the outskirts of the city in the Canton-Tremblay neighbourhood.
The Quebec municipality of Saguenay decided it was too dangerous for them to go on living there after getting the results of a $118,000 geological study this week.
An engineering firm said the rocks in the cliff had developed fissures. City officials said they're worried that 10,000 tonnes of rock could come crashing down with the help of the following:
- freezing and thawing of the rock;
- an earthquake;
- heavy rains, which could erode soil and further destabilize the rock formation.
"We were told that the risk is imminent and that this would eventually happen," said Mayor Jean Tremblay. "So we are not going to play with security. We have a big problem."
Provincial and city officials announced the evacuation on Friday. They said people wouldn't be forced to leave. However, engineers and security officials will be talking with those who stay behind.
They said those who leave their homes can submit claims to a provincial aid program.
The homes are said to be worth as much as $2 million. Sixteen are along one street, while six are on another. One is on a third street and the remaining house is on a fourth street
Quebec's minister of public security, Jacques Chagnon, will be visiting the region on Saturday and will meet with city officials.
