Residents in Ottawa and surrounding areas should prepare for a wet 48 hours.
Rain, possibly heavy at times, is set to begin early Sunday morning which could prompt some of the most devastating floods low-lying areas have seen in years.
Environment Canada says Ottawa and the surrounding areas could see between 20 to 40 mm of rain before Tuesday.
The Rideau Valley Conservation Authority warns the rain will likely cause “extensive flooding” in a number of areas in the Ottawa region.
Among the communities at the greatest risk of flooding: New Edinburgh around Stanley Avenue, Old Ottawa South, Communities along the Long Reach up-stream of Manotick, the Village of Kars, parts of Kemptville, residents near the Jock River and low lying properties in North Gower and Perth.
The city says residents can reduce the negative impacts of flood damage by placing sandbags around their homes, “moving valuables and important documents out of the basement, ensuring sump pumps and footing drains are connected and functioning properly and that all downspouts or water run-off is flowing to water drainage systems.”
The city is offering sand and bags at city yards including:
Downtown Area
- 29 Hurdman Road (available 24 hours, seven days a week)
- 1683 Woodward Drive (available 24 hours, seven days a week)
South Area
- 4244 Rideau Valley Drive (Sunday, April 13 8a.m. to 4p.m., and Monday to Friday 7a.m. to 3 p.m.)
- 2145 Roger Stevens Drive (Saturday, April 12 7a.m. to 9p.m. and Sunday, April 13 8a.m. to 4p.m., Monday to Friday during working hours)
West Area
- 2941 March Road (Monday to Friday 7a.m. to 3 p.m.)
- 4127 John Shaw Road (Monday to Friday 7a.m. to 3 p.m.)
- Jamieson Street in Brittania Area
