Flood update: relief centre opened for flood victims

Gatineau, May 2, 2023. – According to the latest updates from the Ottawa River Regulation Planning Board (ORRPB), water levels are still rising, and should be up to 30 cm higher by the end of the week before stabilizing. Levels could remain there for several days.

Shoreline property owners who were visited by Gatineau fire safety officials are essentially the same ones whose properties will be affected, and should remain vigilant. Fire safety officials visited an additional 50 homes or so today. Gatineau encourages shoreline property owners to consult the interactive map at gatineau.ca/crue to check whether their home could be affected by the flooding.

Relief centre for flood victims

●	Gatineau today set up the Jean-René Monette community centre for flood victims. It will be open until 10:30 tonight. Starting tomorrow, it will be open from 8:30 a.m. to 10:30 p.m. every day.

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Gatineau asks that anyone living in a flooded area register: - Anyone wishing to remain in their home can report to Gatineau by calling 311. Registering entitles them to several services, including wellness checks and information about the government's emergency financial assistance program. - Victims who would like to evacuate their home or need emergency shelter must go to the relief centre, located at 89 rue Jean-René-Monette. The Red Cross will be on hand to assess their needs. Victims will need to present proof of residence.

●	For an emergency and immediate evacuation, call 911.

Street closures

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Quebec's ministère des Transports et de la Mobilité durable has closed northbound route 307 under the des Draveurs bridge. The eastbound A-50 exit ramp to route 307 (exit 138, rue Saint-Louis) is also closed. Detours are indicated. These indeterminate closures are due to the water accumulation on the roadway.

●	Traffic is currently restricted on certain streets. For additional information about road conditions, consult the interactive map at gatineau.ca/crue.

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

Residual materials collection

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Due to water levels on certain portions of rue Hurtubise, collection trucks will not be able to pass, but brown bin trash collection containers have been installed. These containers and bins are strictly for the use of affected shoreline property owners, not for nearby residents. Containers and bins will be in the following locations from 6 p.m. today until 3 p.m. tomorrow: - across from 899 rue Hurtubise; - at the corner of rue Campeau and rue Hurtubise; and - at the corner of rue de Versailles and rue Hurtubise.

Rockfill

●	In April, Gatineau placed rockfill along part of chemin du Fer-à-Cheval and rue Hurtubise and rue Campeau.

●	The rockfill was designed to enable emergency vehicles and residents to get through. The rockfill was placed on streets where access to homes would otherwise have been impossible, that is to say when there were no nearby alternative routes.

●	Placing rockfill is a colossal undertaking involving 6,700 tons of crushed rock, several municipal and outside crews, and a lot of heavy equipment. A total of 51 hours of work is required to place rockfill along 2.2 km.

Information for residents

●	All kinds of information is available on the website, and shoreline property owners can call 311 if they have questions.

●	Gatineau reminds shoreline property owners to keep the protections they have installed in place and to remain vigilant.

●	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.

Citation

“The situation in Gatineau is very worrisome, as it is in certain other parts of Quebec. I stand in solidarity with all Gatineau residents who are concerned about the impact of Mother Nature's antics on shoreline property owners. I urge these owners to remain vigilant and to call 311 should they need help or have questions,” indicated Gatineau Mayor France Bélisle.

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