Ottawa River could hit 2017 flood levels this weekend, regulator warns

Flood-prone communities along the Ottawa River could be in for a nerve-racking weekend as waterwaysrise to levels last seen during the devastating floods of 2017.

The Ottawa River Regulation Planning Board (ORRPB) warnedThursday morning that days of rain coupled with warming temperatureswould lead to river levels similar tothose seen two springs agowhen flood waterdeluged entire neighbourhoods, forcing hundreds from their homes.

Until now, the ORRPBsaid it expected levels to remainbelow that point.

• Some Gatineau homeowners in flood zone will not be allowed to rebuild
• Full coverage of Ottawa-Gatineau's 2017 flooding

Areas along the Ottawa River are under a rainfall warningthisweekend, with up to 80 millimetres of rain possible in some areas from Thursday throughSunday.

All flood-prone areas along the Ottawa River from Lac Coulonge down to the Montreal Archipelago are at risk.-Ottawa River Regulation Planning Board

"Levels and flows on the Ottawa River from Lac Coulonge down to the Montreal region are expected to rise extremely rapidly starting this Friday due to forecast rainfall and snowmelt runoff," the board said in a news release.

"Major flood levels are expected to be exceeded over the weekend. Later on, flows and levels similar to those observed at the height of the May 2017 flood may be reached depending on the amount of precipitation received.

"All flood-prone areas along the Ottawa River from Lac Coulonge down to the Montreal Archipelago are at risk."

'We anticipate the worst'

5 years ago

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Gatineau Mayor Maxime Pedneaud-Jobin says residents should be ready for flooding this weekend.

Dams at capacity

The ORRPB said dams in the northern partof the river basin should be able to handle the increasing flow, but dams in the central and southern portions are already atcapacity.

Residents are asked to contact their municipality if they believe their properties are at risk.

• Rain, melting snow spark flood alerts across region

Communities includingGatineau, Ottawa and Clarence-Rockland, Ont., have started to distribute sandbags in flood-prone areas.

The warning from the ORRPBis the most widespread and significant warning of the several flood alerts from conservation authorities across theregion.