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Compiled by the Ward 3 team
Update from Councillor Hill on CTV Morning
Third Update From Councillor Hill [July 17, 11am]
Good morning Barrhaven-West,
Even though it's a new week, the cleanup from the two tornados continues.
I have been in contact with the Northern Tornado Project group, which came to Barrhaven to assess the recent tornados, and I will be actively advocating for tornado resiliency in the upcoming Building Code discussion with the Province.
It would be worthwhile doing another scan of your property to check for any smaller debris (glass, nails, etc.) that may have been missed in the initial shock and commotion from the past few days.
Though Minto Recreation Complex is no longer a Community Support Centre, information and support for residents are available at 311.
Cleanup
The City estimates that 90% of debris is already picked up
City staff will continue curbside removal of tree and yard debris this week.
Please ensure that any debris is kept separate when placing tree and yard debris related to the storm at the curb for pickup.
Future information will be provided on my social media pages and a running blog page.
Though the City has addressed all known hazards, please contact 311 if you see any.
If you have any trees or large branches that still require pickup or something the City may have inadvertently missed, please reach out to my office.
For trees and other items on private property, it is the homeowner's responsibility to oversee the removal of the items (ie; reputable tree removal/landscaping company).
Contractors engaged by insurance providers or by residents directly are responsible for the proper disposal and diversion where possible of construction and house related debris.
There are organizations that have offered to help seniors or others that do not have the means to clean up their properties. Please contact my office for more information.
To contact Building Code Services
Call: 613-580-2424 ext. 68855 Email: buildingpermits@ottawa.ca
Insurance Information
If your property was damaged by the storm, please contact your insurance company as soon as possible.
Most home and business insurance policies cover damage caused by some emergency situations such as a windstorm or tornado.
Protect yourself and coordinate everything through your insurance company. Document and take photos of any damage. Keep all receipts related to the storm, such as for hotels, food, pet boarding and supplies.
IF YOU DO NOT HAVE INSURANCE
Please contact my office for more information
Mental Health
The impacts of the recent tornado have affected many of in our community. It is normal to feel stress and worry. Please visit Responding to Stressful Events for tools and resources available to you and your family.
How can you help out?
Anyone that's looking to help out our community can do so by donating to the Barrhaven Food Cupboard, a group that is always helping out the most vulnerable and now helping the families affected by the tornado.
Also, consider joining one of our local community associations and keep the community spirit growing if you have an hour to give.
Thank you
A big thank you to our first responders who worked efficiently and tirelessly over the weekend to help Barrhaven navigate this event. This includes Ottawa Fire Services, Ottawa Police Services, Ottawa Paramedics, Hydro Ottawa, the Canadian Red Cross, the Salvation Army, and many other government and social services.
When the going gets tough in Barrhaven, the Barrhaven BIA and local businesses step up big time! Thank you to Simon Beaulieu and Barrhaven Tim Hortons, Barrhaven Metro, along with Firehouse Subs Barrhaven for providing food for our first responders. Thank you also to Home Depot for lending us a dump trailer to collect debris from our community.
Thank you also you, the residents of Barrhaven for your patience and support of our first responders through this emergency. The community spirit has been incredible!
Some FAQs
My home has been damaged as a result of the tornado. When is a building permit required for the repairs?
A building permit is required:
When there is deformation or deflection of structure
When you will be removing, repairing or replacing structural framing, including trusses, rafters, support posts, piers, beams and joists
Does the City of Ottawa have copies of construction plans for my home?
Depending on the age of the home and its location, the City of Ottawa may have copies of the plans for the original construction and/or subsequent renovations. Copies of these plans may be viewed through the Access to Building Permit Records process. Please contact Building Code Services or visit our website.
Why do I need a building permit? What happens if I don’t get one?
By authority of the Building Code Act, a property owner is required to obtain a permit prior to construction or renovation. Obtaining a building permit ensures that the minimum standards for health and safety, fire protection, structural adequacy, energy performance, and accessibility are met. Failure to obtain one may result in enforcement under the authority of the Building Code Act and, in the case of a building failure or loss, insurance coverages may be void.
Do I need a building permit if my front porch was damaged?
A building permit is required for the structural repair of buildings, including their associated porches, roofs, sunrooms, additions and decks.
David Hill
Second Update From Councillor Hill [July 14, 4pm]
Note that our weekly newsletter has been pushed to next week as we prioritize tornado response information.
We are now into the second day of emergency response to the tornado that touched down in Barrhaven.
Yesterday was a stressful day for many so please be sure to check up on those affected by today's events. Thanks again for your support and we have much work ahead of us.
Initial damage reports are that 125 properties sustained damage yesterday in Barrhaven, with the majority being severe. This number could grow in the coming days.
The City has setup a webpage to help residents affected by the tornado. If you're not sure on the next steps to take, this page may be useful.
Cleanup
Roadside sweeps will be completed in the areas known to be affected later today, July 14.
City staff will have response teams available throughout the weekend and will begin curbside removal of tree and yard debris next week.
Please ensure that any debris is kept separate when placing tree and yard debris related to the storm at the curb for pickup.
Residents with electronic can bring it to the electronic waste disposal event at the Walter Baker Sports Centre on Saturday, July 15.
Future information will be provided on my socials and Ottawa.ca
Assistance
Information and support for residents are available at the Minto Recreation Complex, 3500 Cambrian Road. The Complex is open 10am to 7pm on Friday July 14.
Also at the Minto Recreation Complex, Building Code Services will provide information on assessing damages, starting the insurance process and general safety questions related to homes impacted by the tornado. Social Services will also have resources available to those effected or displaced due to damage to their homes. The Canadian Red Cross and the Salvation Army will be on-site to provide assistance.
Also, if your home has been damaged, please contact your insurance provider immediately.
I will continue to provide updates on FACEBOOK AND TWITTER
Emergency Response
Ottawa Fire and Police remain in Barrhaven, assessing damage and assisting residents. They are working diligently to assist everyone needing help.
If a house door is marked with an "X" that means the property has been cleared of hazards by Ottawa Fire Services but the resident was not there at the time of clearing. Additional assessment may be required as a result.
There may be road closures due to fallen trees, electrical wires, etc. Please avoid the affected areas.
Hydro
As of the time of this email, no outages are active in Barrhaven-West.
Objects may still be touching or in close proximity to power lines. Please notify Hydro Ottawa at 613 738-6400.
Remember to stay at least 10 meters away from downed power lines and treat all wires as if they are live.
Follow outage updates here.
Debris and Damages
We are aware of the significant debris across Barrhaven. City staff have been notified and will be preparing and acting accordingly.
Continue to stay away from forested areas as trees that have been damaged can fall unexpectedly.
If your house is damaged, notify your insurance company.
Building code services will be expediting building permits for those that may need one to fix damages to their houses. They will be at Minto Recreation Complex until 7pm today. After that, 311 will be of assistance.
Thank you
Though it is far from over, a big thank you to our first responders who worked efficiently and tirelessly over the past 24 hours to help Barrhaven navigate this event. This includes Ottawa Fire Services, Ottawa Police Services, Ottawa Paramedics, Hydro Ottawa, the Canadian Red Cross, the Salvation Army, and many other government and social services.
First Update From Councillor Hill [July 13, 4:45pm]
Good afternoon Barrhaven-West, This is an update on the current tornado emergency relief situation in Barrhaven-West.
At approximately 1:30pm, a tornado touched down in Barrhaven.
A family reunification/reception centre has been established at the Minto Recreation Complex, 3500 Cambrian Road in Barrhaven
Entry into and around Half Moon Bay is restricted, so please avoid the area if possible.
If you smell gas, evacuate the area IMMEDIATELY and call 911.
Emergency Response
Several officers have been redeployed to Barrhaven as a result of the Tornado.
Enbridge Gas and Ottawa Fires Services are assessing gas leaks – due to this, road closures will be ongoing.
Paramedics are also on site and ready to assist.
Please clear the roads when emergency vehicles are approaching.
I WILL BE PROVIDING UPDATES ON FACEBOOK AND TWITTER Hydro
There is an outage affecting approximately 1600 customers in old Barrhaven.
Hydro Ottawa is on the ground in Barrhaven-West
Per Hydro Ottawa leadership, crews are currently scanning for a source of the outage. The outage has proven to be complicated and may require a larger outage for safe reparation.
Remember to stay at least 10 meters away from downed power lines and treat all wires as if they are live.
Follow outage updates here.
Debris and Damages
We are aware of the significant debris across Barrhaven. City staff have been notified and will be preparing and acting accordingly.
This incident has a large footprint and officers and partners are working diligently to assist everyone needing help. There may be road closures due to fallen trees, electrical wires, etc.
Stay away from forested areas as trees that have been damaged can fall unexpectedly.
If your house is damaged, notify your insurance company.
Building code services will be expediting building permits for those that may need one to fix damages to their houses.
They will be at Minto Recreation Complex from 4-7pm this evening or please call 311.
Stay safe and don't hesitate to contact my office at david.hill@ottawa.ca if you need anything. David Hill
City Updates
Update 3 [July 14, 8pm]
Community Supports
The Community Support Centre that was in place yesterday and today at the Minto Recreation Centre has been demobilized as of 7:00 pm this evening.
A small number of residents from the impacted areas in Barrhaven visited the centre, primarily seeking assistance related to Building Code Services (BCS).
We estimate that about 20-30 homes will require assessments from BCS. These assessments will continue over the weekend.
Please note that the City’s storm site (Extreme weather | City of Ottawa) will be kept evergreen. There will also be information sheets available at the Minto Recreation Centre over the next several days. Please see attached.
Emergency Services Presence
The Ottawa Police Service will maintain an enhanced presence in the impacted areas in Barrhaven this evening. In addition, Ottawa Fire Services will continue their neighborhood patrols throughout the course of the weekend.
Debris Management
The City’s Public Works staff have been working to make roads, parks and right of ways safe again. All known hazards have already been addressed, however, the City is asking that residents report any tree, road or parks-related hazards to 3-1-1 for follow-up.
Today was luckily a regular waste collection day in the Half Moon Bay area. The City’s response teams will begin curbside removal of tree and yard debris next week. This information is being communicated to residents on the City’s storm site, as well as through social media.
Update 2 [July 14 4:18pm]
Yesterday we saw yet another storm pass through the city, this time accompanied by a tornado which caused damage to many homes in the Barrhaven area. As residents work to get a scope of the full extent of the damage and what debris needs to be cleared, here are some steps you can take to make sure your home is safe.
First steps
First things first, check your home for any debris that could be leaning near or around powerlines, or otherwise pose a threat to you or others in your community. If you do see any debris on power lines, please report them to Hydro Ottawa, the Electricity Safety Authority, or get a certified electrician for inspection and removal. If there has been damage to your home or property, contact your insurance provider right away. They will be able to help you get started on the next steps to repairing your home.
Get informed
The City acted quickly yesterday to set up a community support centre at the Minto Recreation Complex on 3500 Cambrian Road, which will remain mobilized until 7pm this evening. There, residents can talk with City staff such as Building Code Services, who can provide information on assessing damages, starting the insurance process and general safety questions related to homes impacted by the tornado. Social Services will also have resources available to those effected or displaced due to damage to their homes.
The Canadian Red Cross is also at the community support centre today to assist residents, and the Salvation Army has provided snacks and refreshments for impacted residents.
Not able to make it out to the Minto Recreation Complex? You can also visit the Extreme Weather response page on Ottawa.ca, or call 3-1-1, for information on building permits, what to do about property damage, and how to temporarily fence off hazardous debris.
If your gas was shut off
If Enbridge has shut off gas due to the tornado and you want it turned on again:
Contact Enbridge at 1-877-362-7434
Enbridge will come and do a property assessment to determine if it is safe to reconnect the gas supply
Once inspection has passed, the homeowner must contact an approved HVAC contractor
The HVAC contractor will connect all gas-fueled appliances (furnace, hot water tank, dryer, stove, etc)
Visit Enbridgegas.com for more flooding safety information.
Update 1 [July 13, 7:41pm]
We now have more precise numbers to report to you, as well as a better sense of the tornado impacts.
There were 125 properties damaged this afternoon in Barrhaven, with varying degrees of severity:
Area 1: Umbra Place / Watercolours Way – 50 houses
Area 2: Perseus Way / Proxima Terrace – 35 houses
Area 3: Jockvale Road / Exeter Drive – 30-40 houses
The Minto Recreation Complex at 3500 Cambrian Road will be open until 11:00 pm tonight to assist impacted residents.
We want to ensure that residents continue to have access to supports and information. As such, the Minto Complex will re-open tomorrow, as a Community Support Centre, from 10:00 am to 7:00 pm. The City will have representatives present once again from Building Code Services, Ottawa Fire Services, and Emergency Social Services/Canadian Red Cross.
Hydro Ottawa has restored power to the impacted areas in Barrhaven. They continue to assess the areas though for any secondary damage.
There are no reported impacts to City infrastructure. Public Works Department have prioritized debris removal today related to public safety (e.g., branches or tree limbs that are blocking roads). They are finalizing a debris removal plan for the remainder of the City’s clean-up work in Barrhaven. Staff are also working on messaging to residents for tomorrow, to support resident clean-up efforts.
The impacted areas in Barrhaven continue to experience some traffic impacts, including detours. Residents who are outside the Barrhaven area should avoid travel to this part of the City, where possible.
This evening, Ottawa Fire Services will conduct patrols of the impacted areas.
This will be the last Emergency Operations Centre update today. Thank you to everyone for their support and quick mobilization.
Cleanup
Tree Removal
For private trees the resident will be required to apply for the permit, then, once approved, the resident will be responsible for removal at their own cost. In most cases the arborist will submit the application on behalf of the resident and include that cost in whatever other charges there are. Details
Debris clean up
The City’s Public Works staff have been working to make roads, parks and right of ways safe again. All known hazards have already been addressed, however the City asks that residents report any tree, road or parks related hazards to 3-1-1 for follow-up.
City response teams will be available throughout the weekend and will begin curbside removal of tree and yard debris next week. Please ensure that any storm-related waste is kept separate when placing tree and yard debris at the curb for pickup.
You can find more information on debris management on ottawa.ca, with more updates to come next week.
Mental Health Resources
Contacts
