Gatineau Park remains closed to vehicles after torrential downpour damages roads, trails
The parkways inside Gatineau Park remain closed to drivers on Sunday as eastern Ontario and western Quebec continue to recover from Friday's significant rainfall.
- Sign up now for daily CTV News Ottawa newsletters
- The information you need to know, sent directly to you: Download the CTV News App
The nearby city of Gatineau saw a total of 83 mm of rain on Friday after remnants of Hurricane Debby moved through the region. Crews across Gatineau and Ottawa are continuing to work to reopen roads and repair culverts that were damaged or washed out during the storm.
Gatineau Park cancelled all shuttle service and closed many of its parking lots through the weekend as crews worked to assess the damages.
In an update at 1 p.m. on Sunday, the National Capital Commission (NCC) said Champlain Parkway, one of the main arteries into the park, remains closed to all visitors between Fortune and Gatineau parkways.
Fortune and Gatineau parkways are open only to cyclists and pedestrians. Dunlop Road is closed to all traffic until further notice.
"Please exercise caution, respect the barricades and follow the directional signage in place," the NCC said on its website.
The NCC is recommending against the use of the hiking trails, due to "serious" rain damage that remains. The storm caused several footbridges to be destroyed or swept away, including at trail 13, the Dunlop picnic area, and the Keogan trail.
O'Brien and Blanchet beaches at Meech Lake are closed as of Sunday afternoon, but beaches at La Pêche, Leamy and Phillippe Lake are open.
Parking lots in the north-end of the park, including P10, Dunlop, P11, P12 and P13 are closed.
Chelsea, Que. still under state of emergency
A state of emergency was called in the nearby municipality of Chelsea on Saturday, after the storm flooded roads.
The state of emergency is expected to end by Monday morning.
As of Sunday morning, officials have reopened Chemin de la Montagne and Chemin Juniper to traffic. Chemin Meech is also open as crews complete corrective work on the road. Work is expected to be completed on Sunday.
Chemin Fleury has reopened with one lane accessible to traffic.
Work is currently underway to reopen Chemin Hollow Glen and remains closed to all traffic.
"Crews are working to re-establish roads to ensure that no enclaves remain by the end of the day. Please use caution when travelling," the municipality said on its website.
The storm also caused flooding to many City of Ottawa roads, mostly in the west end communities of Carp, West Carleton and Kanata. According to the City of Ottawa's interactive traffic map, most roads have reopened, though the city is asking drivers to avoid parts of Marchurst Road and Old Second Line Road as repairs continue.
More rain is expected to arrive in the region on Sunday, with a few showers with a risk of thunderstorms forecasted this afternoon. Scattered showers are likely to continue into early next week.
CTVNews.ca Top Stories
Trump threatens to try to take back the Panama Canal. Panama's president balks at the suggestion
Donald Trump suggested Sunday that his new administration could try to regain control of the Panama Canal that the United States “foolishly” ceded to its Central American ally, contending that shippers are charged “ridiculous” fees to pass through the vital transportation channel linking the Atlantic and Pacific Oceans.
Man handed 5th distracted driving charge for using cell phone on Hwy. 417 in Ottawa
An Ottawa driver was charged for using a cell phone behind the wheel on Sunday, the fifth time he has faced distracted driving charges.
Wrongfully convicted N.B. man has mixed feelings since exoneration
Robert Mailman, 76, was exonerated on Jan. 4 of a 1983 murder for which he and his friend Walter Gillespie served lengthy prison terms.
Can the Governor General do what Pierre Poilievre is asking? This expert says no
A historically difficult week for Prime Minister Justin Trudeau and his Liberal government ended with a renewed push from Conservative Leader Pierre Poilievre to topple this government – this time in the form a letter to the Governor General.
opinion Christmas movies for people who don't like Christmas movies
The holidays can bring up a whole gamut of emotions, not just love and goodwill. So CTV film critic Richard Crouse offers up a list of Christmas movies for people who might not enjoy traditional Christmas movies.
More than 7,000 Jeep SUVs recalled in Canada over camera display concern
A software issue potentially affecting the rearview camera display in select Jeep Wagoneer and Grand Cherokee models has prompted a recall of more than 7,000 vehicles.
'I'm still thinking pinch me': lost puppy reunited with family after five years
After almost five years of searching and never giving up hope, the Tuffin family received the best Christmas gift they could have hoped for: being reunited with their long-lost puppy.
10 hospitalized after carbon monoxide poisoning in Ottawa's east end
The Ottawa Police Service says ten people were taken to hospital, with one of them in life-threatening condition, after being exposed to carbon monoxide in the neighbourhood of Vanier on Sunday morning.
New York City police apprehend suspect in the death of a woman found on fire in a subway car
New York City police announced Sunday they have in custody a “person of interest” in the early morning death of a woman who they believe may have fallen asleep on a stationary subway train before being intentionally lit on fire by a man she didn't know.