Spring freshet and flooding
Spring freshets are recurring phenomena that generally do not result in significant flooding. Every year, Gatineau carefully monitors the spring freshet. Municipal departments are at the ready and mechanisms are in place to anticipate and rapidly intervene as necessary.
Everyone is responsible for their own safety. Each of you must take the initial steps for ensuring you own safety and that of your family, and for protecting your own property. It is recommended that you have an emergency kit at the ready at all times that contains the essential items each family member needs to make it through at least the first 72 hours.
All flood victims are invited to report their situation to Gatineau.
How?
There are several benefits to reporting your situation, including ensuring:
If you require emergency housing or food assistance, stop by the flood victims relief centre. The Red Cross will welcome you and assess your needs.
Location: Centre sportif de Gatineau, 850 boulevard de la Gappe, Gatineau sector
Hours of operation: daily from 10 a.m. to 6 p.m.
The centre's schedule may be re-assessed and adjusted as needed. The public will be notified of any changes.
Proof of residence required.
If you wish to evacuate your home as a preventive measure, you may do so at any time. Emergency services can assist you.
How?
Call 311. No non-emergency evacuations will be done at night.
What about my pets?
If possible, board your pets with family or friends. If you cannot, the SPCA de l'Outaouais will take them under a partnership agreement.
If a situation requires immediate intervention, call 911.
If needed, you can take a shower during opening hours at the following three aquatic centres:
You can also charge your electronic devices at these centres.
As soon as the water recedes, here are the steps Gatineau takes before reopening a road:
Once a road is reopened, the Service de sécurité incendie visits residences and informs residents of the steps to follow before electricity or gas service can be restored.
The map displays real-time street status, parking availability for residents, sectors at greatest risk of being affected and sandbag distribution sites.
Water levels may vary depending on the observation point. Water levels are provided in meters and are specific to the site indicated. Some forecasts are available on the Ottawa River Regulation Planning Board Web site.
Source of data: Sécurité publique Québec and Ville de Gatineau
You will need an authorization certificate or a building permit if, as a result of the current flooding, you wish to do some work.
Visit the Hydro-Quebec Web site to learn more about spring flooding.
Visit the Enbridge Gaz Québec Web site for flooding tips.
Recognized for its quality of life, Gatineau is a city of 298,000 inhabitants. It is located on the north shore of the Ottawa River, and extends east and west of the Gatineau River.
