Environment Canada has issued rainfall warnings for our region.
Hundreds of people in Gatineau and throughout eastern Ontario have been forced to flee their homes as swollen rivers flood streets and houses.
Environment Canada says 30 to 50 mm of rain is expected in the region through Sunday. Environment Canada expects the rain to taper into showers by Sunday afternoon.
But, with the ground already saturated from a wetter than average April, there is little ability for the soil to absorb this new rainfall.
Ottawa Fire PIO Danielle Cardinal tells CFRA if residents need to evacuate their homes, they can call 3-1-1 for help. If you are facing an emergency, dial 9-1-1.
Cardinal does have a warning for people whose basements may have flooded.
"We're reminding residents to refrain from wading in water that has risen above the level of electrical outlets or has submerged appliances," she says. "Electricity travels through water and presents a risk of electrocution."
She says you should contact your electrical utility company to disconnect the power to your home if the water is rising to that point.
The risk runs all along the Ottawa River and throughout the Ottawa Valley.
The Ottawa River Regulation Planning Board says further significant increases in levels between Pembroke and the Montreal Region are expected. Given current forecasts and depending on location, flood levels are expected to peak Sunday into Monday May 8th.
The Rideau Valley Conservation Authority is warning communities along the Long Reach of the Rideau between Kars and Kemptville should anticipate having their access roads flooded.
The Mississippi Valley Conservation Authority says water levels along the Ottawa River, including Constance Bay, are expected to remain high going into the weekend, and could increase again should the forecasted rainfall occur.
The City of Clarence-Rockland has declared a state of emergency.
The Province of Ontario issued a statement Thursday afternoon, to indicate that they are prepared to offer assistance.
The Ministry of Municipal Affairs has already reached out to at-risk communities to provide information about provincial assistance programs and to establish lines of communication for ongoing updates on weather impacts at the local level. Emergency Management Ontario and the Ministry of Community Safety and Correctional Services The Ministry of Community Safety and Correctional Services [sic] and the Office of the Fire Marshal and Emergency Management are on high-alert and are collecting real-time weather information.
As the situation continues to develop, we will monitor it very closely and quickly offer assistance where needed.
View the latest updates from the City of Ottawa here.
View the latest updates from the City of Gatineau here.
View the latest updates from the Rideau Valley Conservation Authority here.
View the latest updates from the Mississippi Valley Conservation Authority here.
View the latest updates from the Ottawa River Regulation Planning Board here.