Supporting Residents after Severe Rainfall
On Wednesday, many communities across Ottawa received well over 100 mm of rain in a very short period of time. For many households, this was not just another heavy storm. It meant flooded basements, damaged belongings, long waits for help, and a great deal of stress for families who are now trying to clean up and understand what comes next.
My office has heard from some residents who were impacted. When that much rain falls that quickly, stormwater systems can become overwhelmed, groundwater can rise rapidly, and water can enter homes in ways that are not always immediately obvious. Pooling water on roads is common during severe rainfall events like this, but residents should still report serious drainage concerns, flooded basements, and property damage through 3-1-1.
If your basement has flooded, please report it to the City as soon as possible. You can call 3-1-1, but given the extraordinary volume of calls following this storm, I strongly encourage residents to use the online reporting tool where possible: https://ottawa.ca/en/3-1-1/report-or-request/property-damage-or-maintenance-issues/report-basement-flooding
City staff are working through every request, and using the online reporting tool helps ensure your report is logged even if phone lines are busy.
The City also has important information available at Ottawa.ca/flooding, including guidance for residents dealing with basement flooding. If water has entered your basement, please avoid using fixtures and appliances that require water until the issue has been resolved, as water sent down the drain may end up in your basement. If it is safe to do so, residents can also check whether toilets and sinks are draining properly. If running a sink or flushing a toilet causes water to come up through a basement drain, that may indicate a sewer-related issue. If no water comes up through the drain, the issue may be groundwater.
Safety needs to come first. Do not enter a flooded area until a qualified professional has determined it is safe. Flood water may contain sewage, bacteria, or other contaminants. Residents should wear proper protective clothing, including rubber boots, gloves, safety glasses, and a face mask if they must be near flood water or damaged items.
Residents should also contact their insurance company as soon as possible. Even if you do not file a claim, a report is often required to your provider. Your insurer can advise you on cleanup procedures, what types of damage may be covered, and what contractors to contact. Be sure to photograph and document damaged items before disposal, and keep receipts for emergency work, cleanup, repairs, and replacement items.
If flood water is threatening natural gas-powered equipment such as a furnace, hot water heater, or stove, please contact Enbridge Gas. If the water has reached any plug, electrical outlet, extension cord, baseboard heater, or electrical appliance, contact Hydro Ottawa and do not enter the area until it has been made safe.
For those cleaning up damaged household items, I know many residents are also looking for information about garbage collection. As an additional measure, Public Works will accept small to medium amounts of drywall and construction debris as part of the regular collection cycle. The City does not normally collect this material, but these are highly unusual circumstances and we want to provide as much support as possible. For the next few weeks, the City will accept up to two garbage bins of construction material per household in neighbourhoods affected by flooding. Staff will continue to assess the situation in the coming days and adjust as needed.
This has been an extremely difficult week for many families. My office will continue to monitor the City’s response, share updates as they become available, and help connect residents with the information they need. Please visit the heavy rainfall page at Ottawa.ca for the latest updates.