Flood update: Water levels are dropping and an information evening will take place for flood victims this Thursday
Gatineau, May 9, 2023. – Water levels should drop 30 to 40 cm over the next few days according to Ottawa River Regulation Planning Board (ORRPB) projections. That being said, Gatineau reminds everyone that it is important to remain vigilant and to keep protective barriers in place until further notice. In view of the water's rather rapid withdrawal, an information evening will be held 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). For those who cannot attend in person, the Quebec's Ministère de la sécurité publique (MSP)'s financial assistance information session will be replayed on the municipal website at gatineau.ca/crue. In addition, MSP and partner contact information will also be available on the website for residents to contact outside the evening. Also, MSP and partner contact information will also be available on the website for residents to contact outside the evening. Information evening ● | The purpose of this evening, organized by Gatineau in collaboration with MSP, is to present the financial assistance program, support flood victims in their restoration efforts, and answer their questions. |
● | The aim is to inform flood victims as quickly as possible of the help available to them before they begin work on their damaged property. |
● | An additional similar session will be held next week if deemed warranted by Gatineau and the MSP. |
● | The information evening will begin with an approximately hour-long presentation by the MSP, and continue with a tour of our partners' booths. |
● | The following partners will be present to answer flood victims' questions: CISSSO, Service Canada, Public Health Agency of Canada, and Centre de justice de proximité de l'Outaouais. |
● | Gatineau's urban planning department will also have a booth at the event. Municipal representatives will be on hand to explain the applicable rules and the steps flood victims should follow, particularly regarding construction permit and demolition certificate applications. |
● | After the presentation, flood victims will be able to make an appointment on site with an MSP claims agent. |
● | The STO will provide shuttles for the flood victims. Shuttle stops will be announced shortly. |
● | Visitors will be able to park near the centre sportif, but not in the cégep parking lot. |
Quick facts
● | Crews started checking streets today. Restrictions on some of the streets that are being checked will be lifted today: - rue Carmen, rue Oxford and boulevard de la Gappe up to Saint-Louis; and - vehicles of up to 5 tonnes will be able to use chemin du Quai. The Masson ferry has reopened.
|
● | Even though water levels are gradually falling, several streets could remain closed or open only to local traffic until they are back in working order. Before a street is reopened, municipal crews must conduct a number of checks, which could take several days. Those crews are doing everything possible to reopen the streets safely as soon as conditions allow. The crews are at the ready and hard at work. |
● | To date, 769 people have registered with Gatineau. Of those, 138 (including 64 households) are in the care of the Red Cross and are being housed in hotels. |
● | Consult the interactive map at gatineau.ca/crue to find out more about road conditions, sandbag distribution sites, parking available to shoreline property owners. |
● | For more information, residents are invited to call 311. |
Quote
“Since the very start, Gatineau has been keeping its residents informed, and is continuing to do so by organizing an information evening where they will receive answers to their questions about restoration. I would like to thank shoreline property owners for their patience and understanding through the upcoming restoration process,” indicated Gatineau Mayor France Bélisle.
|