Flooding encroaching onto one home in Whitewater Region (Ronald DiTamaso photo)
Residents in Whitewater Region continue to feel the impact as the Ottawa Valley enters the third week of flooding along the Ottawa River.
In his latest update on the situation, Mayor Neil Nicholson says the impact on the community has been significant and the waiting and watching for conditions to change has taken a toll on everyone.
Flooding has rendered septic systems and private wells along the shore unusable or contaminated, and some homes are only accessible by boat, as a number of private roads have been left either impassable or remain at risk of a washout.
Nicholson notes that the township remains an active participant in freshet meetings with the Ministry of Natural Resources and the Ottawa River Regulation Planning Board, as increased flows from reservoirs upstream will likely keep water levels high well into May.
The township is focusing on the areas hardest hit by current flooding while preparing for conditions to worsen, including with sandbagging operations supported by the community; regular check-ins on affected residents by the County of Renfrew Paramedic team; a water-activated barrier supplied by not-for-profit relief charity GlobalMedic; and even more direct assistance.
Meanwhile, township services remain strained by the flood response but are active and available when needed.
Anyone with concerns or who needs assistance should reach out to the township office at 613-646-2282. Choose option 9 if calling with an after-hours request.
(written by Kasey Egan)
