Waters are expected to rise at least 15 millimetres over the coming days as nearly 1,000 people have been affected by devastating flooding across the Ottawa region.
City of Ottawa general manager of emergency services, Anthony Di Monte, says 200 Ottawa residents have been affected and 100 of those have been forced to leave their homes in Constance Bay, Britannia, and Cumberland.
"It's heartbreaking to see some of the situations that people are in now. Their homes, all their belongings and their families. It's really tough." he said. "The city's bringing all the assets we have to bear."
In Gatineau, officials say 741 people have been forced out of 411 residents as Canadian Armed Forces personnel arrive to assist with the damage. Federal Public Safety Minister Ralph Goodale tells CTV's Question Period the number of military members in Gatineau was expected to triple by the end of the day Sunday. Goodale also confirmed on Twitter that federal government assistance was on its way to Ontario communities affected by flooding.
Gatineau resident Jonathan Brennan tells CFRA he continues to pump water out of his home as 14 inches of water have seeped into his basement. Brennan says he's concerned about theft and wants to ensure water doesn't reach his home's main level.
"For my part on my street I'm the only one left," he said. "Everyone on my street has left. I'm packing the rest of my stuff from my basement and putting it back downstairs and I have to shut down my power."
In Rockland, east of Ottawa, Mayor Guy Desjardins says 300 people have been affected. He says, while a state of emergency remains in effect there, they are not forcing residents to leave their homes.
"You cannot force somebody out of their house. That is the law," Desjardins told CFRA's the Newsfeed. "People are stressed enough now. I felt there was no need to issue a (mandatory evacuation order) and stress people out even more."
Desjardins says one home was washed into the river and was hanging by electrical wires. He says the power had to be shut off on Voisine Road as Enbridge continues to monitor the situation there.
Volunteers have been out in full force across the region filling sandbags to help people protect their homes. In Rockland and Gatineau, 150,000 bags and counting have been filled as homeowners rush to keep their houses intact.
There is some hope on the horizon for residents and relief workers as Environment Canada Meteorologist Rob Kuhn says the worst of the rain system that had been pounding the capital since Thursday night has moved out of the area.
Kuhn says showers are expected over the coming days, but only up to two additional millimetres are expected to fall after 66 millimetres fell between Thursday night and Saturday night.
For more information on the flooding, what you can do to help, and where you can seek services if you need them click here.