The Ottawa and Gatineau flood: A photo timeline

The Ottawa and Gatineau regionrecently witnessed record-breaking flooding.The heavy rainfall coupled with snowmelt and increasing soil saturation eventually lead to the worst flooding seen in decades.

But even as the flood submerged hundreds of basements and streets, a sense of community emerged throughthe crisis as neighbours helpedneighbours and volunteers came out to fillsandbags.

As water levels continue receding across most of the Ottawa River, a growing uncertainty looms over affected communities on both sides. From insurance claims and provincial assistance to sewage concerns, residents are now looking for answers.

Wednesday, April 5, 2017: The beginning

• The Rideau Conservation Authority (RVCA) expectsheavy rain, combined with melting snow, will cause flooding in some low-lying areas along the Rideau River south of Ottawa.
• Over 30 millimetres of rain falls the following day, breaking the April 6 record.

Friday, April 7: Overflow

• After a record-breaking rainfall, water levels along parts of the Rideau River risea metre above ground level.
• Some Ottawa South residents filled sandbags by their properties, while others didn't feelthe need to take action.

Monday, April 17: A wet Easter

• Nearly 30 millimetres of rain falls in the Ottawa-Gatineauregion over Easter weekend, washing out streets and paths.
• The City of Gatineau offerssandbags to residentsin response to the rising water levels.

Wednesday, April 19: The flooding intensifies

• Record rainfall and snowmelt causewater levels to continue rising.
• The RVCA warns of flooding alongside parts of the Ottawa River shoreline.
• On Thursday, April 20, Quebec announceemergency funding for ten Outaouais municipalities for damages notcovered by insurance.
• The municipality of Saint-Andr-Avellin, Que., declaresa state of emergency.

Friday, April 21: Evacuation

• 23 Gatineau homes areevacuated, after firefighters warned that residents therewere at risk.
• The municipality of Pontiac, Que., declaresa state of emergency.

Saturday, April 22: Feeling hopeful

• Gatineau officials say they believe"the situation is improving, and water levels are gradually falling or holding steady."
• Closed roads reopenand the city begins planning the recollection of sandbags.
• By Monday, April 24, residents in Gatineau, Pontiac, and Saint-Andr-Avellin, Que., return home and are told that they can expect financial assistance from the province, on a case-by-case basis.

Monday, May 1: Rainfall

• 55 millimetres of rain fellon the Ottawa-Gatineauregion and raisewater levels to a 20-year high, and almost two metres above the seasonal norm.
• On Wednesday, May 3, emergency officials adviseresidents from some 300 homes to leave immediately as water levels rise two centimetres per hour.
• More rain is forecastforthe upcoming week.
• By Wednesday, 80 Gatineau residents takerefuge in the city's two designated shelters managed by the Red Cross.

Thursday, May 4: Displaced

• Some 143 homes in Gatineau are evacuated on a voluntary basis.
• Gatineau Mayor Maxime Pedneaud-Jobinwarnsresidents to prepare for the worst.
• Clarence-Rockland, Ont., declaresastate of emergency.

Friday, May 5: Another day of heavy rain

• 40 millimetres of rain fall inthe region, while residents worked tirelessly filling sandbags.
• At a midday news conference, Quebec Public Safety Minister Martin Coiteux sayshis government has requested army support for four Quebec regions.
• In Ottawa, water levels affect75 properties, mostly in Constance Bay and Cumberland. However the city holdsoff on declaring a state of emergency.

Saturday, May 6: Mobilization

• 16 millimetres of rain fellonto the region, raising the Ottawa River in some areas by 17 centimetres.
• A section of Highway 50 isclosed.
• 2,000 volunteers showup at theCampeau Arena in Gatineau, filling more than 25,000 sandbags.
• 400 soldiers are deployed across Quebec flood zones. Around 8 p.m., a number of military personal arrived in Gatineau.
• 466 people in Gatineauhave left their homes, with many gettingassistance fromtheRed Cross.

Sunday, May 7: Military presence

• 80 soldiers and 60 engineers arriveSunday morningin Gatineau tohelppolice reach inaccessible areas.
• The Canadian military announceit will triple the number of troops it will deploy across the hardest-hit regions.
• Three millimetres of rain fall on Sunday.

Monday, May 8: Water levels peak

• From May 1 to May 8, the Ottawa-Gatineauregion received120 millimetres of rain,almost 100 millimetres more over the same time frame than the previous year.
• Water levels at the Hull Marina in Gatineaupeak at 45.18 metres, or three metres higher than the seasonal norm.
• Federal and provincial government workers are told to stay home to alleviate traffic congestion for emergency workers to deal with flooding.
• The Hull and Gatineau hospital cancelselective surgery and endoscopic procedures.
• In Gatineau, 443 homes are affected and 794 people are displaced. In Ottawa, 310 homes are affected and 75 families are displaced.
• Quebec Premier Philippe Couillardvisits Gatineau to meet with residents, while his counterpart in OntarioKathleen Wynne visits Ottawa and other affected communities in eastern Ontario.

Tuesday, May 9: Uncertainty looms

• Water levels begin droppingone to two centimetres per hour in some areas.
• Federal buildings remain closed in Gatineau.
• Gov. Gen. David Johnson, his wife, Sharon, and Gatineau Mayor Maxime Pednaud-Jobin tour flooded residential areas.
• The City of Gatineau says more than 500 homes are affected, in Gatineau, and nearly 1,000 people are receiving care from the Red Cross.
• 1,730 Canadian Armed Forces personnel are dispatched. The federal government announcesit will assume military costs.
• Ottawa public health advises affected residents to test their well water.
• Ontario cottage owners express angerbecause they don't qualify for the provincial disaster relief funding.
• Ottawa Mayor Jim Watson proposesa tax deadline extension for affected residents.

Wednesday, May 10: Seeking answers

• Federal buildings reopenin Gatineau.
• The Ottawa River Regulating Committee saylevels are dropping 15 centimetres a day.
• The City of Ottawa setup four information centres, staffed by city and public health workers, for affected residents.
• The City of Gatineau begins shifting its focus to cleanup efforts.
• City officials in Ottawa report 346 properties have been affected.
• Ottawa and Gatineau residents voicetheir frustrations at city-run info gatherings; politicians, municipalities, and the military become subject to criticism.
• 1,000 Gatineau residents attenda meeting on flood compensation, double the number expected by event organizers.

Thursday, May 11: Assessing the damage

• Many affected residents turn to provincial assistance, as few homeowners have added overland flood insurance to their existing policies.
• In Quebec, only damages to primary residences are eligible for provincial assistance, up to a maximum of $159,208.
• In Ontario, the province's disaster assistance program is capped at $250,000.

Friday, May 12: Relief on its way

• The province announces communities along the Ottawa River, including Ottawa and Renfrew County, are officially eligible for disaster assistance.
• The RVCAsays water levels below Chaudiere Falls have dropped 30 centimetres over the course of the week, and that any weekend rain will likely not affect localwater levels.
• The City of Ottawa announces garbage in flooded areas will be picked up daily and that baseball diamonds will reopen Monday.

Saturday, May 13: Getting around

• The ferry between Cumberland and Masson-Angers, Que., reopens in a limited capacity.
• All lanes of Highway 50 in Gatineau reopen.
• The City of Ottawa urges boaters to stay off the river to prevent damage to sandbags.