City of Gatineau expects nearly 120 buildings at risk of flooding as rivers rise

Several areas in eastern Ontario are under flood watches or warnings, and this weekend’s rainfall could make matters worse. CTV’s Kimberley Fowler reports.

The City of Gatineau says nearly 120 buildings could be affected by flooding this weekend, as levels on the Ottawa and Gatineau rivers surge.

The city says it has observed water levels rising 11 to 14 centimetres on the Ottawa River and 7 to 8 cm on the Gatineau River. Officials say the water level could reach the first peak seen in the 2023 flooding season as early as Sunday.

“The City estimates that approximately 33 streets and 119 buildings will potentially be affected by flooding, based on current forecasts,” the city said in a news release, translated from French.

A flood watch is in effect for the Ottawa River from Arnprior to Hawkesbury, with the Mississippi Valley Conservation Authority saying minor flooding levels could be reached this weekend with major flooding possible by Monday. A flood warning remains in effect along the river from Pembroke to Arnprior.

A special weather statement is in effect for Gatineau warning of additional rainfall this weekend.

According to Environment Canada, the Ottawa area has seen more than 83 mm of rain so far this month, nearly 62 of which fell in the last seven days.

“We are keeping a close eye on the entire territory and adjusting our interventions as the situation changes. All necessary resources are at the ready, prepared to respond quickly to any eventuality, in collaboration with our partners, to guarantee the public’s safety at all times,” said Gatineau Mayor Maude Marquis-Bissonnette in Friday’s news release.

The following streets in Gatineau are considered to be at risk of flooding:

Aylmer sector:

• chemin Fraser;
• L’impasse Claudette-Burke;
• rue Côté;
• rue Dorion;
• rue Lamoureux;
• rue Lloyd;
• rue Madaire;
• rue Pilgrim.

Hull sector:

• promenade du Lac-Leamy.

Gatineau sector:

• rue Adélard;
• rue Blais;
• rue Corriveau;
• rue de Versailles;
• rue des Montgolfières;
• rue du Prince-Albert;
• rue Ernest-Charron;
• rue Glaude;
• rue Jacques-Cartier;
• rue Moreau;
• rue Oscar;
• rue René;
• rue Riviera;
• rue Sabourin;
• rue Saint-François-Xavier;
• rue Saint-Louis;
• rue Saint-Patrice.

Masson-Angers sector:

• chemin du Fer-à-Cheval;
• chemin de la Rive;
• chemin du Quai;
• rue Gabriel-Constantineau.
• rue du Ruisseau;
• rue Victor-Charlebois.

In addition, some bike paths could experience flooding in the coming days.

The city says the public should avoid travelling in high-risk areas unless absolutely necessary.

Sandbags are available at the following locations:

• Parc Louis-Roy (5 rue Louis-Roy, Aylmer)
• Parc du Lac-Beauchamp (745 boul. Maloney-Est, Gatineau)
• Parc Jack-Eyamie (40 rue du Bassin, Masson-Angers)
• Parking lot of Saint-Jean-de-Brébeouf Community Centre (70 rue Moreau, Gatineau)

An interactive map of road closures and other information is available on the city’s website.

The City of Gatineau says firefighters will continue door-to-door rounds on Friday to answer questions and offer support to residents.

• Sign up now for daily CTV News Ottawa newsletters
• The information you need to know, sent directly to you: Download the CTV News App