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Update: municipal clean-up crews on the job
Gatineau, September 22, 2018. – Municipal crews are still out in the field stabilizing and securing the areas touched by the tornado. Close to 200 municipal employees have been mobilized so far. Status report on operations | ● | The most heavily hit area has 215 buildings, including 1,686 dwellings. |
| ● | The damage includes:
- several buildings;
- uprooted trees and broken branches;
- 30 downed or damaged street lights; and
- some thirty traffic lights out of service.
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| ● | Public roads are being cleared, and work is slated to continue throughout the day. |
| ● | Fire officials are inspecting the municipal buildings and infrastructures that were affected. |
| ● | Police officials are also out securing the streets in the hardest hit area. |
| ● | The streets in that area will be closed to traffic as a safety precaution. Boulevard Saint-Joseph is also closed to traffic between boulevard Mont-Bleu and the Jean-Proulx traffic circle. All other roads in Gatineau have been cleared and traffic is back to normal. |
| ● | Damage has also been reported outside the hardest hit area. Our public works crews are out clearing those other areas. |
| ● | Gatineau is working hand in hand with its partners: Red Cross, Gazifère, Hydro-Québec, Centre intégré de santé et de services sociaux (CISSO), ministère de la Santé et des Services sociaux (MSSS), SPCA, Cégep de l'Outaouais, STO, Ambulance St-Jean and Salvation Army. |
Victims centre and accommodation centre | ● | A victims centre and an accommodation centre have been set up at the pavillon Gabrielle-Roy of the Cégep de l'Outaouais, in the Hull sector.
- More than 585 people have registered at the victims centre.
- 225 people have used the services at the accommodation centre.
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| ● | The victims have met with authorities, and additional information sessions are being organized. |
| ● | Psychological support is being provided to the victims by the Centre intégré de santé et de services sociaux (CISSO). |
| ● | Services to victims are being overseen by the Red Cross. |
Assistance to victims | ● | Gatineau thanks all residents who have offered to volunteer their assistance. At this point, it is still too early to identify any specific requirements given that the sites are inaccessible to both residents and occupants. We will reach out to residents as required. |
| ● | The Salvation Army is working with its partners to collect donations for the victims. Details will be communicated as soon as possible. |
Safety messages | ● | The safety of residents is our primary concern. |
| ● | Some traffic lights are defective or out of service. It is important to come to a full stop at intersections where the traffic lights are not working. |
| ● | Gatineau asks victims whose property has been damaged and who have been evacuated not to attempt to return to their homes until they have been given the all clear by authorities. |
| ● | Unless necessary, residents should not drive by the affected sectors:
- 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, as the winds die down:
- be careful with any debris such as tarps, glass or other items that could cut and injure;
- do not touch electrical cables on the ground or hanging because they may be live, but do contact Hydro-Québec; and
- never enter a building that has been damaged by the wind.
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At a glance | ● | A mobile command centre has been deployed, and the emergency measures centre is open. |
| ● | As of 6 a.m. on September 22:
- there had been 320 calls to 311 related to the tornado, specifically regarding road damage, requests for assistance and offers to volunteer;
- 31,000 Hydro-Québec customers were still without power: for updates, go to the Hydro-Québec Web site; and
- Gazifère had disconnected 21 gas meters.
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| ● | If you see any road damage, call 311. If you fear for your health or safety, call 911. |
Images
Associated link
Violent winds
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