Flooding shuts down Jos. Louis production at Vachon plant

Flooding in the Beauce
region has halted production of some popular Quebec treats.

Weekend floods struck a number of homes and buildings in Ste-Marie, Que., including the original Vachon bakery, which makes such snack cakes as Jos. Louis, Ah Caramel! and Passion Flakies.

Operations ceased when Quebec provincial police evacuated the area. Employees were back helping with cleanup, mopping up the basement and getting a look at damage.

Sylvia Sicuso, spokeswoman for Bimbo Canada, which operates the bakery, said they've told employees and customers it could take from three to eight weeks before full operations resume.

Sicuso said the company had measures in place at the plant to guard against flooding, but this year the Beauce region, south of Quebec City, has received record flooding with several towns along the Chaudiere River under water.