Since declaring a State of Emergency at 9 p.m. Thursday, April 25, there have been daily updates from the township office.
April 26 — The Township requested assistance from the province, which may include military as the situation continues. He also contacted Renfrew County Warden Jennifer Murphy and the federal and provincial representatives, MPP John Yakabuski and MP Cheryl Gallant.
Sand bags are available at the dome at the Westmeath Garage and firefighters have assisted with filling the bags for pick up. To date, 48,000 sandbags have been deployed; another 30,000 are available and more are on order.
Volunteers are welcome to provide support filling sandbags 9 a.m. to 4 p.m. on the weekend.
April 27 — In response to the township’s requested assistance from the province, Ministry of Natural Resources and Forestry staff are helping with sandbagging in two locations and co-ordination is underway on deployment of military resources.
Access to roads in the Lacroix Bay area are restricted to emergency vehicles due to water levels. Sand Point Road remains closed.
Sand will be deposited at numerous other locations experiencing localized flooding.
If you need to evacuate, please let the township know by calling 613-587-4835.
Sandbag preparations are ongoing until 8 p.m. each evening.
April 29 — The army has arrived and leading wellness checks and assisting with sand bag operations along with volunteers, firefighters and staff from the Ministry of Natural Resources and Forestry (MNRF). The OPP is pro-actively patrolling the affected areas.
To date, 50 properties have been voluntarily evacuated.
Home owners are advised to contact Hydro One to have power safely disconnected and delivery charges/connection fees will be waived by those affected by the flooding.
Flood water and water ponding around wells can affect the safety of your drinking water. Well water test bottles are available from the township office and can be dropped off at the Renfrew County and District Health Unit for testing.
Water from wells affected by the flooding waters should be boiled for one minute at a rolling boil before drinking, food preparation or brushing teeth … or use bottled water.
A relief centre is open at the Westmeath Hall from 11 a.m. to 8 p.m. Hot meals and beverages are being served thanks to the Westmeath and District Recreation Association.
Regular Township services, such as pothole filling and gravel road grading may be affected or delayed as municipal resources are deployed to deal with the flooding emergency.
A fire ban is also in effect and no permits will be issued.
April 30 – the province’s Disaster Recovery Assistance Program has been activated for Renfrew County. Information can be found at www.ontario.ca/page/apply-disaster-recovery-assistance.
Army personnel continue to undertake wellness checks and the MNRF continues to asst with sand bag operations and the OPP is still pro-actively patrolling on the ground.
Rapid Road is closed beyond Bromley Line due to flooding. Roads in Lacroix Bay and Sand Point Road remain closed and a number of trails also have water over them.
If you would like to volunteer for sand bag operations, call 613-587-4836 between 8 a.m. and 8 p.m.
