Hundreds of homeowners in Kanata are being warned of health risks and the possibility of looters as they continue to clean up from heavy rain that caused severe flooding in Ottawa's west end last Friday.
"Please fix the problem," pleaded one resident who lives on Dundegan Drive.
"Thank God we do have insurance . . . it's just hard on the nerves and everything too. You've got half your life out on your lawn and your laneway."
However, many residents don't have insurance. More than 500 homeowners have already contacted the city looking for assistance.
Public health officials toured areas affected by the flooding on Tuesday, advising residents on how to deal with the sewer surcharge left behind by the flooding.
The city has also opened the Kanata Recreation Centre to help accommodate residents who are unable to return home.
Now, some homes in the area are being targeted by looters. Police are providing extra patrols to help prevent scavengers from sifting through garbage and items left on people's front lawns.
"Last night, we had some looting," said Natalie Savard. "We had people on this street taking couches on wagons."
The city says the sewer system couldn't handle what it calls a "once in a century rain storm."
With a report from CTV Ottawa's Stefan Keyes
