Concerning the numerous floods in Gatineau

Two firms mandated to establish an action plan

The City’s Executive Committee has announced two contracts for professional services to produce an action plan for public security related to flooding. The two firms are commissioned to produce new flood hazard mapping for Gatineau’s territory. Both firms will also undertake aerial surveys.  

Lasalle/NHC Inc. was offered a $99,913 contract. The firm Perron, Hudon, Bélanger arpenteurs-géomètres inc. was granted a $126,185 contract.

The Quebec government prompted the City to redesign its flood-risk mapping.  In addition to these sums of money, the province has granted Gatineau $2.8 million to update standardized flood hazard mapping for the region.  This grant covers improvement of management tools and communications in future floods, and covers flood zones on the Ottawa, Gatineau,  Blanche and Le Lièvre rivers.   The flood zones are in Pontiac,  Collines-de-l’Outaouais and Papineau MRCs.  

Mayor Pedneaud-Jobin is pleased with both contracts, noting, “These newly developed tools will contribute to the reinforcement of our planning and management in case of floods in Gatineau and neighbouring MRCs. 

The present flood zone mapping dates from 2017.  City officials believe it necessary to update the mapping to better predict and prevent future floods. With the effects of climate change, Gatineau can expect increased flooding to happen.  

In last year’s flooding, Gatineau registered the most severe flooding in the province, resulting in 2,200 damaged homes. During this catastrophe, 900 city employees were mobilized over several weeks.  (Transl: CL)