A manager who works with volunteers for the Canadian Red Cross is offering some advice for residents concerned about flooding along the Ottawa River as high temperatures this week threaten to raise water levels further.
Chris Allsop, the Senior Manager of Emergency Management with the Canadian Red Cross, works as part of the Red Cross’ international movement for humanitarian assistance and support.
Allsop says flooding in regions like the Ottawa Valley is natural this time of year, as melting snow saturates the ground with water.
Allsop says the first step residents should take to prepare for flooding is to assess what the risks are based on where they live, including assessing whether they live in a floodplane or if they travel through one frequently in their day-to-day lives.
Easy options for mitigating local flooding near your home include clearing drains of anything covering them, clearing eavestroughs and checking the grade of your land and inspecting your foundation for any cracks so they can be fixed before water entering your home becomes a risk.
Allsop also recommends people listen to local news media for information in the event of a flooding scenario, and to prepare for a potential evacuation by creating a 72-hour emergency kit.
Beyond those basic essentials, Allsop urges you to plan your emergency kit around the specific needs of the people you live with. That means including things like diapers if you have an infant, mobility devices for the elderly or disabled, important medications, and pet food for your furry friends.
Anyone interested in learning more about what to do in the event of an emergency, or volunteering to help others in need when the time comes, is urged to visit the Canadian Red Cross website.
(Written by Steve Berard)
