City provides update on spring flooding

OTTAWA – Based on information provided by the Ottawa River Regulation Planning Board and the weather forecast from Environment Canada, the Ottawa River and tributaries are expected to continue rising over the next several days.

The City of Ottawa declared a state of emergency on Thursday, April 25 in response to flooding along the Ottawa River. Following the declaration, the city formally requested assistance from the Province of Ontario with management of the emergency operation. All city departments and services are fully engaged in the emergency response. Support from the Canadian Armed Forces arrived in Ottawa on Friday, April 26 and members of the military are assisting with the emergency response.

The city is coordinating an evacuation plan for residents who live where floodwater is posing an imminent threat to safety, life and property. Affected residents will be informed through a visit by city staff, who will provide specific advice to either evacuate or prepare for the possibility of evacuation.

As of Monday, April 29:

• volunteers have helped at the three sites since Friday, April 19, with 3,363 volunteers helping on Sunday, April 28
• 994,260 sandbags have been made available to residents
• City emergency services and Ottawa Public Health have conducted more than 466 wellness visits in all affected areas
• More than 700 members of the Canadian Armed Forces are proving flood relief assistance in the Ottawa area
• 21 residents have self-evacuated
• City emergency services and Ottawa Public Helath have conducted more than 466 wellness visits in all affected areas
• 1,975 people have joined the city’s Spring Flood 2019 Facebook page
• Water levels are expected to peak by mid-week, as forecasted by the Ottawa River Regulation Planning Board

The city encourages property owners who may be affected by flooding along the Ottawa River to register online for help. Those who do not have access to the internet can call 2-1-1 or the toll-free number at 1-877-761-9076 to register. Each residential property will initially be assessed by a Rapid Damage Assessor and response will be prioritized based on need and risk.

Residents who would like to volunteer can find more information on ottawa.ca. Updates are provided on Facebook, Twitter and ottawa.ca to keep residents informed about the changing situation.

Traffic congestion around the flood emergency sites is an impediment to city crews and emergency vehicles. Residents are asked to stay clear of the flooded areas unless they are volunteering or live in the area.

Up-to-date information on road closures caused by flooding is available on our Interactive Traffic Map. Click the ‘Incident’ box on the left-hand side to see the closures.

Residents should visit Ottawa.ca for more information about how to prepare for floods.

Communication is key during a flood emergency. In an emergency, the City will provide important information and updates to affected residents in a variety of ways.