Flood update: Water levels continue to rise slowly - 7 to 12 cm yet to come

Gatineau, May 4, 2023. – In monitoring water levels, Gatineau has noted that they are rising more slowly, and should peak by tomorrow, after which they will stabilize for several days before slowly and gradually falling. The weather forecast for the next few days is promising.

The water continuing to spread over land is affecting different parts of Gatineau. In the past few hours, several more streets and sections have had to be limited to local traffic or closed entirely:
- Rue Carmen Est is limited to local traffic.
- One part of rue Moreau is closed to traffic, and another is open to emergency vehicles only.
- A part of rue Saint-Louis is now open to local traffic only.
- A portion of chemin du Fer-à-Cheval is open to emergency vehicles only.
- Rue Lamoureux is open to emergency vehicles only.
- Closure of R-307 north to boul. de la Gappe and, consequently, of exit 138 to the westbound A-50.
- One lane of the westbound A-50 at parc-Leamy will be temporarily closed so sandbags can be laid.

Residual materials collection is somewhat behind due to the flooded streets slowing operations.

Residual materials collection

●	In the Pointe-Gatineau district, trash containers and brown bins will be installed in lieu of the May 5 curbside collection for residents living on flooded streets.

●	Trash containers and brown bins will be available to shoreline property owners on affected streets only: Jacques-Cartier, Montgolfière, Prince-Albert, Saint-Louis between autoroute 50 and rue Moreau, Ernest-Charron, Saint-François-Xavier, Blais, Corriveau, René, Oscar and Adélard.

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The containers and bins will be in the following locations from 6 p.m. this evening until 3 p.m. tomorrow: - One container to the west of ruelle du Como in the parking lot near the access to parc La Baie. - One container in the middle of ruelle du Como at the intersection of the Noche Maya restaurant parking lot. - One container to the east of ruelle du Como at the intersection with rue Montgolfières, in the small park. - Two containers on rue Saint-Louis between the intersections of rue Rodolphe and rue Moreau.

●	Gatineau asks residents to be understanding with the delay in residual materials collection, even on streets that are not under water. The trucks have to manoeuvre along flooded streets as well as dry ones, which is slowing them down.

New developments

●	Gatineau started doing wellness checks on flood victims last night. The purpose of those calls is to help in any number of possible ways, including referring them to the proper resources and ensuring their safety.

●	Canada Post is working with Gatineau regarding mail and packages that cannot be delivered to mailboxes on closed streets. These will be held at the depot for the Gatineau sector for the following areas: - Hurtubise, Campeau, Notre Dame, Jacques-Cartier, Moreau, Saint-Louis, Carmen and Oxford.

●	Flood victims can collect their mail upon presentation of one piece of ID at 139 rue Racine. Business hours are from 7 a.m. to 3:30 p.m. Monday to Friday.

●	Proactive efforts by crews involving the installation of a number of double check valves and pumps at strategic points along the sewer system and sealing several hundred manhole covers appear to have borne fruit because no sewer back-ups have been reported to date.

Number of residents registered as flood victims

●	To date, approximately 555 people have registered with Ville de Gatineau, including adults and children.

●	Of those, 53 people are in the care of the Red Cross and are being housed in hotels.

●	Anyone who evacuates their home must register with Gatineau at the relief centre for flood victims, located at the Jean-René-Monette community centre (89 rue Jean-René-Monette).

●	Flood victims who wish to remain in their home should report to Gatineau by calling 311.

Reminders

●	Gatineau is continuing to replenish and distribute sandbags to the different sites indicated on the interactive map. Since the start of the flooding, 132,000 bags have been used up by residents.

●	The parking lots of Sainte-Trinité church, parc Jack-Eyamie, the boat launch on chemin du Quai and parc La Baie are available to shoreline property owners who cannot park on their driveway or their street.

●	Go to gatineau.ca/crue to consult the regularly updated interactive map showing all the road closures related to the spring freshet.

●	Gatineau continues to monitor the situation, and all crews are at the ready on the ground.

●	Gatineau urges residents to remain vigilant, and encourages them to take the necessary measures to ensure their safety and protect their home.

●	Gatineau will continue to update residents as the situation evolves. Residents are asked to sign up for text and e-mail alerts at gatineau.ca/crue.

Quote

“I would like to highlight the excellent work being done by municipal crews, who have been so thorough since the very start of the flooding. They are seasoned and experienced, and there to ensure your safety and lend you a hand. Be sure to call on them through 311,” indicated Gatineau Mayor France Bélisle.

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