Ottawa's flood-ravaged western neighbourhoods
CBC News | Posted: May 5, 2019 8:00 AM | Last Updated: May 5, 2019
Residents in West Carleton-March are coping with 2nd flood in 2 years
The City of Ottawa offered a glimpse Saturday into how Ottawa's western neighbourhoods continue to cope with this year's devastating spring floods.
Residents in communities like Dunrobin, Fitzroy Harbour and Constance Bay have spent long hard days trying to save their homes, as water levels on the Ottawa River rose above those witnessed in 2017 — the last time widespread flooding hit the region.
Yesterday, city officials gave reporters a tour of flooded areas in Ottawa's West Carleton-March ward.
"Some of these solutions are not going to be cheap," said Vincent Wong, a retired homeowner in Constance Bay.
"And I'm retired, so does that mean I have to go back to work to get some money to do [these repairs]?"
In Fitzroy Harbour, Dave McKay has been running his pumps non-stop to keep the water at bay, until they run out of gas.
It's at that moment, McKay said, that the generosity of neighbours and volunteers really shines.
"People have been dropping off fuel canisters — it's just, 'Here you go,'" he said. "It's heartwarming."
Here are some images showing what life is like for people living in the flooded neighbourhoods.