Update at 7:30 a.m.: continuing to reintegrate the victims

Gatineau, September 24, 2018, at 7:30 a.m. – The Gatineau fire department is continuing to reintegrate victims in accordance with the established plan. Since last night, 301 people have received assistance with accommodations. Of those, 244 were put up in six hotels for the night, and 57 in the victims' centre. The distribution of donations to residents will be coordinated throughout the day.

Status report

●	In the past 72 hours, the affected perimeter in the Mont-Bleu area has been considerably reduced. The entire area is now open to traffic.

●	The Gatineau fire department is overseeing the reintegration. To date, out of 212 buildings that were evacuated, 200 have been returned to their owners.

●	Police patrols are continuing to monitor the affected area.

●	Public roads are still being cleared.

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Trash containers have been placed at five intersections in the affected area for residents to dispose of tornado-related debris, including green waste and construction materials. - Deauville and Jumonville - Georges-Bilodeau and Étienne-Brûlé - Georges-Bilodeau and Jumonville - Jumonville and Daniel-Johnson - Jumonville and Tassé

●	As of 7:30 a.m. on September 24: - close to 2,627 Hydro-Québec customers were still without power; every home in the affected area remains without power; for updates on the situation go to the Hydro-Québec Web site; and - Gazifère had disconnected 40 meters.

Victims' centre and accommodations centre

●	In order to make it possible to resume activities at Cégep de l'Outaouais, the victim's centre has been relocated to the Centre communautaire Père-Arthur-Guertin, at 16 rue Bériault. The same health care services will be offered there.

●	Close to 800 people have registered at the victims' centre since the disaster.

●	Anybody who cannot reintegrate their home can get a free STO bus pass right there.

●	There will be meetings with the Insurance Bureau of Canada (for those residents who are insured) and the Red Cross (for those who are not insured) over the next two days. Details on the meetings will be shared throughout the day.

●	The services to victims are being overseen by the Red Cross.

●	Psychological support is also being offered to victims by the Centre intégré de santé et de services sociaux (CISSO).

●	The Salvation Army is on site to provide food to the victims.

Safety messages

●	People returning to their homes should be vigilant because there is still debris strewn about.

●	Gatineau asks victims who were evacuated not to return home until the authorities have given them the all clear.

●	Residents are asked to avoid driving by the affected areas unless necessary: - due to safety concerns about possible obstacles (branches, electrical cables, debris, etc.) in the streets; - to enable crews to work, secure and clean the streets; and - out of respect for the victims.

●	After a tornado: - be careful with any debris such as tarps, glass or other items that could cut or inure; and - do not touch electrical cables on the ground or hanging because they may be live, but do contact Hydro-Québec.

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Food conservation: - in case of a power outage lasting more than eight hours, discard all perishables in your refrigerator (such as meat, poultry, fish, seafood, eggs and dairy products); and - frozen food can be kept in the freezer for up to 48 hours if it is not opened. Discard any partially thawed food.

Donations and volunteers

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Residents wishing to help victims will be able to drop off donations at the former Sears location on the ground floor of Galeries de Hull (320 boul. Saint-Joseph, Hull sector). - Donations will be accepted during Galeries de Hull business hours. Only personal hygiene products and non-perishable foods will be accepted. Thank you for your generosity. We have more than enough donated clothing.

●	The drop-off site is coordinated by the Salvation Army, and food donations are managed by Moisson Outaouais. Please do not bring any donations to the victims' centre.

●	Residents wishing to help the victims may make a cash donation through the Red Cross at www.gatineau.ca/croix-rouge.

●	Gatineau thanks all residents wishing to volunteer their help. At this point, it is too early to identify any specific requirements. We will reach out to residents as required.

Email and text message (SMS) alerts are the ideal way of receiving the latest information.

Images

Carte du périmètre

Liens connexes

Webpage - Tornado and high winds of September 21, 2018

Commission scolaire du Portage-de l'Outaouais

Croix-Rouge

Hydro-Québec - info-pannes

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