Spring flooding: water levels are continuing to recede gradually

Gatineau, May 9, 2017. – Water levels have continued to recede gradually throughout the day. Since no significant rainfall is expected this week, water levels should go down gradually. As a reminder, this process could take several weeks. Gatineau is preparing its recovery plan. Relevant information concerning the clean-up and collection of sandbags, among other things, will be released when appropriate.

Road traffic

●	Even though the water is receding, it is too soon to change the status of streets that have been closed or restricted to local traffic only. - Among other things, municipal departments have to check road conditions before allowing any reopening.

●	It is still recommended that residents avoid and limit their travels.

●	In an effort to alleviate traffic, residents are urged to use public transportation and carpooling.

●	As a reminder, public transportation is free on STO's entire network since Monday and until further notice.

Highway 50

●	Highway 50 is now reopened eastbound and westbound.

●	Currently, two lanes are open westbound between Saint-Louis Street and Highway 5.

●	As a reminder, access ramps from Saint-Louis Street are still closed.

●	Eastbound access ramps from Des Allumettières Boulevard and Montcalm Street are also still closed.

Fournier Boulevard

●	Both lanes in both directions are open to traffic on Fournier Boulevard. - When heading downtown, cones are delineating both lanes, so that lanes are appropriately marked and separated.

●	Rockfilling work was carried out by municipal teams. For the safety of all, motorists are urged to slow down upon approaching gravel segments.

Alonzo-Wright Bridge

●	One lane in each direction is open on the Alonzo-Wright Bridge.

Municipal buildings

●	Gatineau's municipal buildings will reopen as of tomorrow according to the usual schedule.

Sandbags

●	Sandbag distribution sites are still open, despite the almost non-existent demand at this point.

●	As a reminder, close to 676,000 sandbags have been distributed since April 18.

Volunteers

●	Once again, Gatineau would like to thank residents for their dedication to flood victims. Their help is invaluable and their generosity is remarkable.

●	Various additional operations calling upon volunteers could be organized in the coming days or weeks. - Gatineau residents wishing to contribute are asked to stay tuned for news released on Gatineau's website.

●	In the meantime, Gatineau continues to promote mutual assistance between neighbours and within the community.

Donations

●	Gatineau would like to thank residents and businesses for providing an impressive amount of donations, notably in food.

●	To donate food, Gatineau recommends that you bring non-perishables to the designated areas.

●	Cash donations are still being collected by the Red Cross.

●	Please visit www.gatineau.ca/crue for additional information.

Statistics and quick facts

Preventive and voluntary evacuations

●	Number of homes evacuated by Service de sécurité incendie: 541

●	Number of homes evacuated by Service de sécurité incendie: 541

●	Persons being looked after by the Red Cross: 1,160 - Jean-René-Monette: 1,028 - Masson-Angers: 132 - Number of pets evacuated (registered/looked after): more than 150

●	Homes where gas has been shut off: 284

●	Homes where power has been shut off: 353

Sandbags

●	Number of bags distributed since May 1: more than 300,000

●	Number of sandbags distributed since April 18: close to 676,000

Non-emergency call centre (311)

●	More than 10,000 calls from May 1 to May 9

●	815 calls since midnight on May 9

Number of employees and military force members

●	More than 900 employees have been taking turns day and night since May 1.

●	Number of military force members since May 9: 13 vehicles and 40 military force members

Note
Statistics for this news release were last updated at 2:30 p.m. on May 9, 2017. These are the latest statistics available.

Associated links

Webpage on spring flooding

Impacts on traffic and map of flooded streets and sandbag distribution sites

STO's website

MTQ's website

Images

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