Spring flood: Water levels rise in Gatineau

Gatineau, May 10, 2019. – Water levels throughout Gatineau have risen approximately 8 cm as a result of the rainfall over the past few hours. More rain is expected over the next few days, and water levels could rise further.

The overall rise in water levels could peak at 22 cm by Sunday in the Aylmer sector, the same as on May 1. Areas along the Ottawa River (Hull, Gatineau and Masson-Angers sectors) could see theirs rise by 27 cm by Monday.


Weather conditions and snowmelt farther north may also have repercussions and cause water levels to rise.

Gatineau reminds residents to remain vigilant and keep their sandbag dikes in place. Municipal crews are still out in force monitoring the situation.

Quick facts

Main impacts on the traffic

●	Street closures are changing by the hour. The latest information can be found on the real time map at gatineau.ca/crue.

●	There are several traffic detours, and many streets are closed throughout Gatineau.

●	It could take several weeks to reopen all of the streets. A number of steps first need to be taken to ensure that a street is safe before it can be reopened.

●	The aim is to reopen the streets as quickly as possible without compromising the safety of residents.

●	In order to reduce road traffic, residents are asked to limit their travel and opt for car sharing or public transit.

Victims assistance centre

●	At this point, 2,111 people are registered with Gatineau. The 1,022 households that are registered include 1,786 adults and 325 children.

●	The victims assistance centre at the Centre communautaire Jean-René-Monette (89 rue Jean-René-Monette) is open every day from 8 a.m. to 10 p.m.

●	The Red Cross is offering flood victims assistance with basic needs: accommodations, food, subsistence costs and, if necessary, clothing.

●	Psychosocial workers from the Centre intégré de santé et de services sociaux de l'Outaouais (CISSSO) are offering psychological support to the flood victims.

●	The following are invited to register with Gatineau by calling 311, option 6: - residents who evacuated their homes, or intend to do so shortly; - residents whose homes have suffered damage; and - residents who live in an area affected by the spring flood.

●	Another way to register is by going in person at the victims assistance centres.

Donations

●	Ville de Gatineau thanks everyone for their tremendous generosity.

●	Donations were collected in collaboration with our partners, Moisson Outaouais and Saint-Vincent-de-Paul. Thank you to Promenades Gatineau and Galeries Aylmer for their participation and for the loan of their facilities.

●	In total, we received: - 14,274 kg of non-perishable goods; - 4,194 kg of personal hygiene and cleaning products; and - 10,432 kg of clothing.

●	Both donation drop-off centres are now closed.

●	Details about the distribution of donations will be announced shortly.

●	Residents who would like to help the flood victims with cash donations should contact the Red Cross.

●	Business wishing to donate should contact Gatineau's Service des approvisionnements at 819-243-2315.

Information evenings with the ministère de la Sécurité publique

●	Flood victims can file a claim online right now under the Government of Quebec financial assistance program.

●	The evenings are organized by the ministère de la Sécurité publique to present the financial assistance program and to answer questions from the flood victims.

●	Flood victims will be able to set up an appointment with a claims officer on site following the presentation.

●	The appointments will be held starting on May 22 in temporary offices set up at the aréna Campeau, at 165 rue des Sables.

●	Flood victims can file a claim online right now under the Government of Quebec financial assistance program.

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The Service de l'urbanisme et du développement durable de la Ville de Gatineau will have a booth at those information evening sessions. Our representatives will be on hand to explain the applicable rules and the steps that flood victims should take, particularly in regard to applying for demolition permits and certificates.

●	The following partners will also be on hand to answer questions: CISSSO, the Red Cross, Hydro-Québec, Gazifère, the Insurance Bureau of Canada, the local employment centre, Service Canada and organizations helping with relocations.

●	The Société de transport de l'Outaouais (STO) will be providing shuttles for the flood victims. The stops will be announced shortly.

Associated links

Spring flood

Ministère de la Sécurité publique – Flooding

Demande de réclamation – Assistance financière aux sinistrés – Ministère de la Sécurité publique

Images

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