The Canadian Red Cross has announced financial assistance for households in areas of Quebec, New Brunswick and Ontario communities directly impacted by spring flooding. Affected households may receive $600 to help meet their immediate needs.
Last week, following his visit to the Eastern Ontario flood zone, Minister of Public Safety and Emergency Preparedness Ralph Goodale announced $2.5 million to support the Red Cross.
Since the flooding began, the Red Cross has been working with municipal and provincial governments, local authorities, community leaders and other organizations to help families and individuals who have been affected. Financial assistance is the latest of many ways in which help is being made available to those who need it.
To receive this assistance, affected households first need to be registered with the Red Cross so that individual assessments of needs can be completed. People can register by calling 1-800-863-6582, can visit designated community centres or can go online to: www.redcross.ca. People only need to register once for their household. Full details are available online.
If you would like to assist the flood relief work being done by the Red Cross, visit its website to make a donation.
For Québec residents who were affected by the flooding, provincial forms can be completed — Claim form and claim guide to apply for financial assistance. You can call 1-888-643-2433 to register as an evacuee, and qualify.
If you are a Grenville-sur-la-Rouge resident and you require help to fill out forms, contact Amy MacLean at 819-242-8762 ext 1 or [email protected]. Residents are still advised to let the municipality know their coordinates. Please notify [email protected].
More help on the way
On Tuesday, May 7, United Way organizations in Ottawa, Lanark County, Renfrew County and the United Counties of Prescott-Russell will announce a partnership initiative and leadership donation to support the long-term recovery of communities affected by spring flooding across Eastern Ontario.
Flood waters recede, but residents should leave sandbags in place
In most communities, flood waters have receded, but most areas are reminding residents not to consume water from wells that have been submerged in flood water.
In Alfred-Plantagenet, 22 homes were affected by flood waters and about 20,000 sandbags were filled and distributed to residents. Affected residents from that municipality are being directed to the Red Cross for assistance.
In Clarence-Rockland, flood waters dropped 25 cm between May 1 and May 4, but all sites will continue to be visited by city staff until the state of emergency is lifted.
On Saturday, May 4, the municipality reminded residents that there was a risk of further flooding in the event of significant rainfall. Residents are advised to keep sandbags in place until further notice.
Parents are encouraged to explain the dangers to children and everyone is advised to stay away from watercourses.
A municipal clean-up plan will be finalized this week.
In Wentworth North, the Lake Louisa Bridge was re-opened on May 1. That municipality had declared a state of emergency on April 28 and set up a temporary bridge for residents while the Lake Louisa Bridge was inaccessible. The CLSC has been visiting residents affected by flooding, particularly in the St-Michel area.
In Saint-André-d’Argenteuil, the levels of the Rivière du Nord have receded, but the municipality is keeping an eye on the situation as there is still a risk of second flood. Citizens who qualify for help can find assistance using the links above or can visit: securitepublique.gouv.qc.ca or can call 1-888-643-AIDE (2433), toll-free.
After extreme flood situations last week, Grenville-sur-la-Rouge GSLR said that as of May 1, about 35,000 sandbags had been installed to protect the homes of residents. According to the municipality, eight residences were directly affected by the water, and the residents of four of those houses were evacuated. By the end of the day on May 2, Hydro-Québec confirmed the Bell Falls dam was secured and residents from about 50 homes who had been evacuated one week earlier were allowed to return home. By Monday of this week, most roads were open and debris has been cleared.
Bridges were inspected by MTQ. Traffic will be authorized on Braemer bridge (Avoca bridge), as the concrete blocks will be removed.
Residents in flood-affected areas in GSLR will have an extension to pay their taxes; the due date has been extended from May 1 to May 15, 2019.
In the meantime, Saint-André-d’Argenteuil, the City of Lachute and the MRC d’Argenteuil are working to find accommodations in the area for flood victims. If you have an apartment or house to rent or lend, please email: [email protected] with the following information:
— Address of the location for rent;
— Type of building (house or dwelling);
— Size (number of rooms);
— Located on which floor? (2nd, 1st, basement);
— Duration of the loan or lease;
— Cost (if applicable);
— Animals (accepted or not);
