problems started after two weeks of constant rain, which severely engorged soils, rivers and reservoirs. the saguenay region is a geological graben, which increased the effect of the sudden massive rains of july 19, 1996. in the span of a few hours, fell on the region, the equivalent to the amount of rain usually received in a month. the 1996 saguenay flood resulted in large disaster financial assistance arrangements (dfaa) payments.