Flood update: Flood waters officially receding, and several streets reopening to local traffic

Gatineau, May 10, 2023. – The Ottawa River Regulation Planning Board (ORRPB) has confirmed that flood waters are officially receding and will continue to do so for several more days. Water levels will drop by 38 cm over the next four days. Gatineau reminds shoreline property owners to remain vigilant and to keep protective barriers in place until further notice.

Since this afternoon, some of the streets that were closed to traffic have been open to local traffic for vehicles of up to 5 tonnes. Police barriers will remain in place, and proof of residence will be requested. Streets that remain closed to traffic will follow suit tomorrow.

Streets opened to local traffic

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Even though local traffic will be permitted through most of the streets that were flooded, for safety reasons, restrictions will have to be maintained for rue Jacques-Cartier and rue Hurtubise for the time being. Additional safety checks are being conducted by municipal crews because those streets were more affected by the river's encroachment.

●	Crews are currently conducting weight-bearing capacity tests in preparation for allowing vehicles over 5 tonnes to use all of the roads that had been flooded.

●	Quebec's ministère des Transports et de la Mobilité durable today will reopen route 307 between boulevard de la Gappe and the two (on and off) autoroute 50 Ouest ramps.

●	Over the next few hours, consult the interactive map at gatineau.ca/crue for the latest updates on road conditions.

Quick facts

●	So far, water levels have dropped 26 cm in Aylmer and approximately 50 cm in the other areas, that is to say Hull, Quai des artistes, the Masson ferry and rue Cartier.

●	Residents who require an attestation of property flooding for their employer or insurer can submit a request through 311. Gatineau also invites them to call 311 with any other questions.

●	Municipal crews are currently planning the collection of construction, demolition and renovation materials. Dates and arrangements will be shared shortly.

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Flood victims who have not yet registered and who need the services offered by the Red Cross have until 8 p.m. this coming Friday to register at the relief centre for flood victims at the Jean René Monette community centre. This Thursday's business hours are from 8:30 a.m. to 8 p.m. After that, the relief centre will be closed, but Red Cross services to registered flood victims will continue, according to their needs.

●	To date, 781 people have registered with Gatineau. Of those, 138 (74 households) are in the care of the Red Cross and are being housed in hotels.

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We remind everyone that there will be an information evening for flood victims this Thursday, May 11, from 6:30 to 9 p.m. at the centre sportif de Gatineau (850 boulevard de la Gappe). Gatineau's Service de l'urbanisme will also have a booth there. The following partners will be on hand to answer flood victims' questions: CISSSO, Service Canada, Public Health Agency of Canada, Centre de justice de proximité de l'Outaouais and the Service d'aide à la recherche de logement (SARL) of the Office d'habitation de l'Outaouais. In addition, flood victims will be able to make an appointment to submit a claim application in person to the ministère de la Sécurité publique. For details, go to gatineau.ca/crue.

●	Consult gatineau.ca/crue or call 311 for information.

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