Whitewater Region hit by Ottawa River flooding
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WESTMEATH – With the Ottawa River continuing to swell its banks, the Township of Whitewater Region has been added to those Renfrew County municipalities caught up in the Flood of 2017.
Steady rains soaked swaths of Central and Eastern Canada over the weekend exasperating widespread flooding in the Upper Ottawa Valley, and in particular those villages and hamlets of Whitewater Region that border the Ottawa River. Since last week, water has risen over 21 roads, including 13 that lead to private residences. For safety reasons, Lacroix Bay Road and Sandpoint Road have been closed entirely.
“This is definitely the worst that we have seen in years,” Jordon Durocher, manager of community services for the township, said Monday.
Peak flood levels have been reached on most sections of the main stem of the Ottawa River between Mattawa to Hawkesbury. The river crested Monday morning, and water levels should start falling unless there is another deluge of rain, according to the Ottawa River Regulation Secretariat, which watches flows for dam operators. Meanwhile, Whitewater residents whose properties were flooded out or sustained damage have either evacuated or are continuing the battle to save their homes.
“Most people have already left their dwellings because they just can keep up with the water and it's safer to be away from it,” added Durocher.
The township has deployed more than 30,000 sandbags, including 9,000 over the weekend. The township's public works crews have dropped 23 tandem loads of sand at strategic locations throughout the expansive municipality, one of the largest in the county. The Whitewater Fire Department also dispatched members from its five stations to check on those residents who insisted on remaining in their homes or who were cut off due to flooded roads.
Hoping for some dry days to come their way so they can recover, Mayor Hal Johnson said the biggest concerns will be dealing with property and infrastructure damages once the waters have subsided. As public works manager during the last major flood in 2002, Johnson considers this emergency more grave given the levels are higher and more sandbags have been needed to hold back waters. However, he has been deeply moved by scenes of neighbours helping neighbours.
“This is a serious situation but everyone's pitching in. We have some of the finest people in Renfrew County,” said Johnson. “They've been absolutely amazing. It's truly heartwarming.”
The town hall has received round the clock phone calls from volunteers who have been directed to locations to help fill sandbags. At the Lapasse public dock, Jordan Leskie was among several filling sandbags and transporting them to family and friends in the Lacroix Bay area.
“When something like this happens, everybody has to help out,” said Leskie. “I was always raised to help out my neighbours.”
SChase@postmedia.com