Updated at 4 p.m.: All evacuated buildings returned to owners

Gatineau, September 25, 2018 at 4 p.m. – All evacuated buildings within the perimeter of the Mont-Bleu sector have been returned to the owners. Gatineau's fire department (Service de sécurité incendie de Gatineau – SSIG) is visiting residences without electricity, both inside and outside the perimeter.

The distribution of donations today is continuing until 6 p.m. at the former Sears location, on the ground floor of Galeries de Hull. Special shuttles for affected residents were implemented to help them get to and from the information session and donation distribution centre.

Current Status

●	The clean-up efforts in the affected perimeter of the Mont-Bleu area are continuing.

●	We would like to remind you that all the streets within the perimeter are accessible. Temporary closures are possible during construction.

●	93 residences without electricity have been visited by SSIG safety officers.

●	Patrol officers are continuing to patrol the affected area day and night.

Services to the Victims

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Special STO shuttles are in place from 10 a.m. to 6 p.m. for the victims. The purpose of these shuttles is to make sure that the victims can get to and from the information session and donation distribution centre. The departure and arrival locations of the shuttles are as follows: - The Père-Arthur-Guertin community centre, located at 16 Bériault Street - Galeries de Hull - Maison du citoyen, located at 25 Laurier Street

●	To date, 1479 residents are registered with the victim service centre.

●	As of today at 1 p.m., close to 210 persons have received shelter, with 80 persons (including 24 families) in hotels and about 130 persons in the emergency shelter.

●	As a reminder, affected residents who have not already registered at the victim service centre can do so by phone at 1-800-863-6582.

●	Should you wish to know if a person has registered with the victim service centre, please contact the non-urgent call centre (311). If calling from outside of Gatineau, dial the toll-free number 1 866 299-2002.

Information Sessions for Uninsured Victims

●	A meeting with uninsured residents (with the Red Cross) is planned today (Tuesday September 25) at 6:30 p.m. at Maison du citoyen (25 Laurier Street, Hull sector). A meeting also took place at 2 p.m.

Distribution of Donations to the Victims

●	Donation distributions to the victims are now taking place in the former Sears location on the ground floor of Galeries de Hull (320 Saint-Joseph Boulevard, Hull sector).

●	For donation distribution, victims must use the Sears entrance, located in the underground parking of Galeries de Hull, near Montclair Street.

●	Redistribution hours: - Today (Tuesday September 25): from 10 a.m. to 6 p.m. - From Wednesday September 26 to Friday September 28: from 12 p.m. to 8 p.m.

●	Donations in clothing and toiletries are handed to homeless victims. Victims who were able to return to their home can still get nonperishable foods.

●	The redistribution is managed by our partners: - Clothing (Saint-Vincent-de-Paul) - Nonperishable foods and toiletries (Moisson Outaouais)

Donations and help from the citizens

●	Entrepreneurs wishing to offer their services are asked to contact Gatineau's procurement services at 819 243-2315.

●	For corporate donations of material that can be directly distributed to the victims (baby products, nonperishable foods, etc.), businesses should contact the Salvation Army at 438-888-9715 or retablissement@armeedusalut.ca.

●	Residents wishing to help the victims can bring donations to the former Sears location on the ground floor of Galeries de Hull (320 Saint-Joseph Boulevard, Hull sector).

●	The entrance for donations is door 5, inside the mall. Donations are accepted according to the Galeries de Hull schedule.

●	It should be noted that clothing and toy needs are taken care of. Toiletries and nonperishable foods are accepted. Baby items (milk powder, diapers, wipes) are in demand.

●	Residents wishing to help the victims can make a monetary donation with the Red Cross: www.gatineau.ca/croix-rouge.

●	Thank you for your generosity.

Accelerated process for the victims – certificate of authorization and construction permit

●	As of now, owners of the buildings damaged by the tornado can contact Service de l'urbanisme et du développement durable (SUDD) to submit their application.

●	Requests for certificates of authorization and building permits submitted by the victims will be processed in priority by Service de l'urbanisme et du développement durable.

●	Email addresses dedicated to building permit and certificate of authorization applications have been created. - tornade.demolition@gatineau.ca - tornade.construction@gatineau.ca

●	A phone line has been created for owners who have questions: 819 243-2345, extension 2481.

Images

Associated links

gatineau.ca/tornade

News release: Gatineau implements an accelerated urban planning process for the victims (in French)

Red Cross

Insurance Bureau of Canada (IBC)

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