Where to go for help during the flood
Hundreds have been displaced as flood waters rise on the Ottawa River
As flooding continues to seriously affect communities throughout eastern Ontario and west Quebec, here's where affected residents can go for help.
Ottawa
As of Monday morning, some 310 homes had been affected by flooding and 75 families had left their homes, the city said.
The most seriously affected areas in Ottawa include Britannia, Cumberland, Constance Bay, Dunrobin, Fitzroy Harbour, and MacLarens Landing.
Three command centres have been set up to coordinate the relief efforts at the following locations:
- Cumberland: the intersection of Morin Road and Phillip Road.
- Constance Bay: 262 Len Purcell Dr.
- Britannia: the intersection of Jamieson Street and Kehoe Street.
As well, the city has established two emergency reception and lodging centres:
- The Royal Canadian Legion at 377 Allbirch Rd.
- The Francois Dupuis Recreation Centre at 2263 Portobello Blvd.
A centre that had been set up at the Nepean Sportsplex was shut down Tuesday morning.
Residents can call 311 for updates, as well as visit a special emergency page on the city's website for the latest on road closures, sandbag pickup locations and other information. The city is also providing updates on Twitter.
Gatineau
Between 80 and 100 Canadian military personnel have been deployed to the Outoauais, including Gatineau, to assist with relief efforts.
In an update Sunday, the city said they had also acquired two amphibious vehicles to patrol the streets. A mobile command post has been set up at the intersection of Versailles and Watt streets.
Residents who have been evacuated from their homes can visit one of two centres for flood victims:
- Centre communautaire Jean-René-Monette at 89 Rue Jean-René-Monette.
- Centre de services de Masson-Angers on 57 chemin de Montréal.
The city has also set up temporary parking spaces for people affected by the floods:
- Centre communautaire Jean-René-Monette at 89 Rue Jean-René-Monette.
- Aréna Paul-et-Isabelle-Duchesnay (92 Du Patrimoine St.)
- Aréna Beaudry (23 Saint-Alexandre St.)
- Centre sportif Robert-Rochon (97 De L'Aréna St.)
- Le Baron community centre (104 Du Barry St.)
The Red Cross is providing emergency services to Gatineau flood victims, including accommodation, food, clothing and living expenses. It's accepting donations for relief efforts and recovery on its website.
The costs associated with these services will be fully covered by the ministère de la Sécurité publique du Québec for the duration of the evacuation, the city said.
The city is also coming up with a traffic plan, and people who can are being asked to either carpool, take transit, or work from home until furtner notice.
For the latest on the Gatineau flooding situation, visit the city's website.
Clarence-Rockland
The city of about 23,000 people east of Ottawa declared a state of emergency Thursday, with around 200 buildings at risk from the flooding.
The Red Cross has set up an emergency shelter at the Clarence Creek Arena.
The city has also appointed a volunteer coordinator to handle calls from neighbours offering their help, and has created a list of services available to flood victims.
There's a public meeting at Optimist Performance Hall in Rockland Tuesday night at 7 p.m.
If people need help finding babysitting services or lodging for their pets during the flood, for instance, they can send an email to [email protected].
The city has also established a hotline people can call at 613-446-1518.
The municipality has asked people in Rockland to limit water usage to ease pressure on its sanitary sewer network, including taking showers instead of baths, not using the dishwasher and limiting use of washing machines.
The Ontario Provincial Police, meanwhile, is urging people to avoid using motorboats within the city as the wakes are causing water to spill over the sandbags and cause more damage.
For the latest updates, check the city's website.
Pontiac, Que.
Residents living on many roads in the west Quebec municipality are under a mandatory evacuation order. A complete list is on the municipality's website.
People are being asked to turn off the electricity when they leave and register at the Community Centre at 2024 Highway 148. All costs will be covered by the Red Cross.
Those who provide information about where they're temporarily staying will receive updates from the local authorities.
The Red Cross is posted at the Luskville Library on Highway 148 from 9 a.m. to 4 p.m.