Flooding Along the Ottawa River Displaces Gatineau Residents

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Water levels on the Ottawa River are stabilizing between Gatineau and Carillon, Que., according to an update from the Ottawa River Regulation Planning Board on Wednesday afternoon. Levels have also steadied between Pembroke and Lake Deschenes in west Ottawa. Several hundred properties in Gatineau face a risk of flooding, and 13 roads can only be accessed by boat. The City of Gatineau has opened a support centre at 850 boulevard de la Gappe.

As floodwaters from the Ottawa River begin to level off, officials in one of its major cities report that some residents have evacuated their homes, while many others have sought assistance from the Red Cross.

On Wednesday, officials in Gatineau, Que., indicated that around a dozen residents had voluntarily left their homes, with more than 100 reaching out for help from the Red Cross.

The city reported nearly 200 buildings have experienced flooding, with about 300 additional structures at risk.

Thirteen roadways in the city between Pointe-Gatineau and Buckingham are now only accessible by boat, they noted.

If anyone needs help evacuating a flooded home, they should call 311 to connect with city services, which can dispatch firefighters either by truck or boat. A support centre is available at the sports complex located at 850 boulevard de la Gappe, officials stated.

WATCH | Drone video of some flooded areas:

Drone video shows high water levels on the Ottawa River

In both Gatineau and Pontiac, numerous homes are surrounded by water and streets remain closed due to spring flooding. Meanwhile, conditions appear relatively stable in Ottawa and Eastern Ontario.

Sandbag stations continue operating in areas most affected by flooding, while waste containers are being set up there as well.

The Traversiers Bourbonnais ferry service between Gatineau’s Masson-Angers area and Cumberland in east Ottawa halted operations Tuesday evening due to rapidly rising river levels.

The Ecolos ferry connecting Clarence-Rockland, Ont., with Thurso, Que., is also not running.

The City of Ottawa reports 11 road closures along with 15 sandbag stations as part of its response efforts focused mainly on Constance Bay, Cumberland, Fitzroy Harbour and Orléans.

<p. Other municipalities along the river like Whitewater Region, Ont., and Fort-Coulonge., Que., are also providing support for those affected by flooding.

Residents should check with their local municipalities for further information.

WATCH | Ottawa high schoolers help with sandbagging:

West Carleton high school students fill sandbags to fight off floods

A group of students from West Carleton Secondary School spent time filling sandbags to assist community members protect their properties against rising waters.

Below 2023 levels

This marks the fourth significant spring flood along the Ottawa River within a decade, following previous events in 2017, 2019 and again this year.

The spring season of 2019 saw record-high water levels stretching from Pembroke all the way westward to Britannia near downtown Ottawa.</P

Dramatic peaks were recorded in Hull downtown Gatineau and Thurso, Que., during the flood event of 2017.</P

A gas technician makes his way through floodwaters on rue Saint-Louis in Gatineau on Monday. (Justin Tang/ )<P<Though it may offer little comfort to those who are either leaving or working hard to secure their homes or businesses; according to the Ottawa River Regulation Planning Board overseeing water management said current levels should peak just below those recorded back in 2023.</P

The board mentioned during Wednesday’s update that water levels and flows have stabilized between Gatineau and Carillon at heights approximately five to fifteen centimeters lower than what was seen three years ago.<P

“With moderate temperatures forecasted ahead without any significant rainfall expected over coming days; spring runoff from central unregulated basin areas is anticipated gradually decreasing throughout next week,” they explained.</P

While flows originating from Pembroke towards eastern edges including parts around Ottowa seem stable presently – upstream sections beyond Pembroke may still rise further as per observations made earlier this week.

This drone photo taken Wednesday captures flooding near Avenue des Tourterelles alongside north shore regions close western portions adjacent Toque Hill Causing worry amongst local authorities.(Félix Desroches/CBC)

A new flood warning issued

POutside Of ottawa river however Mississippi Valley Conservation Authority transitioned existing watch into formal warnings concerning dalhousie lake together relevant trouble-prone zones surrounding rivers systems initiated late wednesday afternoon regarding precautionary alerts advising residents check sump pumps relocate valuables basement spaces protecting them against potential losses following disasters associated floodssituation connected waterways transitioning outside direct impacts felt specifically along ottawa route. No updates have been received yet confirming new warnings enacted other conservation bodies across eastern ontario nor beyond jurisdiction managed province resource ministry looking after monitoring safety protocols related weather forecasts trends currently observing conditions appearing manageable state-wise locally controlled networks ensuring responsible actions considered preventing damages before occurring instances causing issues arising shortly thereafter.

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