'Thousands' of tonnes of debris collected after May 21 storm
The City of Ottawa is shifting its response to the May 21 derecho storm after collecting “thousands of tonnes” of debris from around the city.
The storm that blew through Ottawa on the Victoria Day long weekend did tremendous damage to the city’s electrical grid and tree canopy. In a memo Monday, Public Works general manager Alain Gonthier said city workers have collected “an enormous amount” of debris in the aftermath.
“Thousands of tonnes of tree debris were hauled to six City yards while staff determine beneficial re-use for this organic material. In addition, over 400 tonnes of organic debris was brought to Trail Road for processing,” Gonthier wrote.
The city has struck a working group to determine how best to use the tree debris, including best ways to repurpose wood chips and larger wood pieces.
Citizens had until Friday to get their debris to the curb for special cleanup outside the normal collection process. Gonthier says final passes are ongoing.
The city’s public works department is now shifting to debris management, specialized forestry work, clean up and repair efforts in city parks, and tree replanting.
Gonthier said public works has identified 350 uprooted tree stumps that need to be removed, not including those in parks.
“Stump removal, particularly at this scale, is a complex task. A stump removal working group has been developed to determine tactics for the safe removal of these stumps, and how to promptly fill the holes left behind,” Gonthier said.
Stumps located on the side of the road will be prioritized before crews work on removing stumps in parks.
Gonthier said that 40 per cent of the 1,300 parks the city owns were affected by the storm. Cleanup work is ongoing and what remains requires specialized equipment. However, Gonthier notes that 98 per cent of parkland in the city is accessible and safe to use.
City staff are conducting a tree canopy loss assessment to determine how many trees were lost to the storm, but Gonthier described the loss as “significant.”
The assessment will determine the scale of replanting efforts, which are expected to begin this fall.
Residents who would like a City tree planted in the city-owned portion of their property can submit a request online through the city’s trees in trust program. Gonthier said the city has also extended the deadline for the schoolyard tree planting grant program to October.
Replanting in parks is set to begin in 2023.
CTVNews.ca Top Stories
Young people 'tortured' if stolen vehicle operations fail, Montreal police tell MPs
One day after a Montreal police officer fired gunshots at a suspect in a stolen vehicle, senior officers were telling parliamentarians that organized crime groups are recruiting people as young as 15 in the city to steal cars so that they can be shipped overseas.
Mandisa, Grammy award-winning 'American Idol' alum, dead at 47
Soulful gospel artist Mandisa, a Grammy-winning singer who got her start as a contestant on 'American Idol' in 2006, has died, according to a statement on her verified social media. She was 47.
Man sets self on fire outside New York court where Trump trial underway
A man set himself on fire on Friday outside the New York courthouse where Donald Trump's historic hush-money trial was taking place as jury selection wrapped up, but officials said he did not appear to have been targeting Trump.
Sask. father found guilty of withholding daughter to prevent her from getting COVID-19 vaccine
Michael Gordon Jackson, a Saskatchewan man accused of abducting his daughter to prevent her from getting a COVID-19 vaccine, has been found guilty for contravention of a custody order.
She set out to find a husband in a year. Then she matched with a guy on a dating app on the other side of the world
Scottish comedian Samantha Hannah was working on a comedy show about finding a husband when Toby Hunter came into her life. What happened next surprised them both.
Shivering for health: The myths and truths of ice baths explained
In a climate of social media-endorsed wellness rituals, plunging into cold water has promised to aid muscle recovery, enhance mental health and support immune system function. But the evidence of such benefits sits on thin ice, according to researchers.
'It could be catastrophic': Woman says natural supplement contained hidden painkiller drug
A Manitoba woman thought she found a miracle natural supplement, but said a hidden ingredient wreaked havoc on her health.
Manitoba mom praises quick-thinking fire department for freeing daughter stuck in playground equipment
A Manitoba mother is praising firefighters for their quick work in helping her daughter who got stuck at a playground in Lorette, Man.
The Body Shop Canada explores sale as demand outpaces inventory: court filing
The Body Shop Canada is exploring a sale as it struggles to get its hands on enough inventory to keep up with "robust" sales after announcing it would file for creditor protection and close 33 stores.