Volunteers still needed to remove sandbags from West Carleton, councillor says
Coun. Eli El-Chantiry says people in West Carleton are grateful for the volunteers who've helped remove sandbags in the wake of recent flooding, but more help is needed to clear the area on Monday and beyond.
"I would say it would be a large amount even after tomorrow. We'll still be out there for next weekend and maybe after that," El-Chantiry told CBC News, Sunday.
The City of Ottawa put out a call for volunteers to help remove sandbags over the long weekend. On Saturday, volunteers were so successful they cleared Britannia and Cumberland ahead of schedule.
El-Chantiry said the West Carleton neighbourhoods of Constance Bay, Dunrobin and Fitzroy Harbour installed more than 130,000 sandbags to protect properties from floodwaters.
He said more than 100 volunteers who registered with the city came to help on Sunday, more than the day before.
As of Saturday, 140 tons of waste and debris and 1,318 tons of sand and sandbags had been cleared, according to the councillor.
He said some residents are wary that the water level could creep back up, seeing as it's still higher than normal even though it's receded.
"Some people are not ready to let their sandbags go from the riverside," El-Chantiry said.
How to help
People 16 and older are asked to attend one of three remaining meeting points Monday to report for a shift. Volunteers will be sent to the affected areas via a shuttle bus.
The three meeting points are:
- Dunrobin (3285 Dunrobin Rd. from 10 a.m. to 8 p.m.)
- Fitzroy Harbour (6900 Harbour St. from 10 a.m. to 8 p.m.)
- Constance Bay (262 Len Purcell Dr. from 10 a.m. to 8 p.m.)
The city estimated that a total of 250,000 sandbags need to be removed from homes in the west and east ends that were affected by historic flooding earlier this month.
Volunteers will be given gloves and are asked to wear comfortable clothing, including long sleeves, pants, and boots.
The city is also offering an OC Transpo shuttle service from the Eagleson Park and Ride every two hours from 9:30 a.m. to 5:30 p.m. to help volunteers get to and from the West Carleton locations.
