Spring flooding: Introducing the major solidarity operation!

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Ville de Gatineau

News release

Spring flooding: Introducing the major solidarity operation!

Gatineau, May 12, 2017. – Gatineau is organizing a major solidarity operation to assist flood victims. This operation will call on volunteers to collect sandbags on the flood victims' properties. The first phase will take place on May 20 and 21, 2017.

Quick facts

●	During the major clean-up, volunteers will retrieve bags on the properties of flood victims, and then place them along the street. - Sandbags will then be picked up by trucks.

●	No registration is required to take part in this operation as a volunteer.

●	For safety reasons, volunteers must be 16 years of age or older.

●	Among other things, volunteers will have to be prepared to do physical work. - Keep in mind that sandbags are soaked, making them very heavy.

●	Gatineau would like to thank dedicated residents, who offered their services and assistance to flood victims in large numbers. - Their help is invaluable and their generosity is remarkable.

●	Gatineau will be able to reuse the sand for various purposes, including as backfill to build new streets. - Gatineau received the authorization of MDDELCC to reuse the sand.

Schedule and gathering points

●	Residents wishing to contribute are asked to go to gathering points on the scheduled dates and times.

●	Transportation of volunteers to the location of the operation will be provided by STO and coordinated by Gatineau. - Therefore, volunteers should not go directly to the collection sites.

●	The days of the operation are split in two blocks (morning and afternoon). - Volunteers will have to be available for blocks of around 4 hours and a half (including transportation to collection sites). - The actual duration of the work (retrieving bags) will be about 2 hours and a half.

●	Residents should consult the detailed schedule at www.gatineau.ca/solidarite.

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Additional clean-up days are planned (dates to be determined).
- Before confirming the details of the second phase of the clean-up days, water will have to have receded completely. Keep in mind that this process could take several weeks.
- The pavement will also have to be inspected by the municipal departments before the affected streets can be reopened.

●	The new dates for the second phase will be announced to the residents as soon as they are confirmed.

Corporate donations

●	Specifically for this event, businesses wishing to donate their services are asked to dial 819 243 2315.

Flood victims

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Flood victims wishing to move their sandbags immediately should place them at the edge of their properties.
- It is important to separate sandbags from garbage and construction debris at the curb.
- Bags should be placed on the inside of the property edge (in the right-of-way) rather than on the street or sidewalk.