Update from Councilor Cloutier
Good day neighbours,
Thank you for your patience and resilience while we continue to navigate the major power outages in our city. I am heartened to hear stories of communities banding together during this time. I also understand that patience is running out, and many people are frustrated with the ongoing situation. I share the frustration.
Earlier this week, I spoke with Bryce Conrad, CEO of Hydro Ottawa, who informed me that he expects the majority of homes in our city will be reconnected by Friday.
At the 2pm media briefing today (Thursday May 26th) Bryce Conrad and other staff confirmed that :
- the damage to the distribution system is beyond the scope of the 1998 Ice Storm and the 2018 Tornadoes
- 137,000 customers’ power has been restored and there were 43,000 left to be restored.
- over 300 poles need to be replaced and some towers
- the bulk of hydro system will be up by Friday evening including specifically our ward of Alta Vista.
- many roads are still closed and 54 intersections still without traffic lights– treat them as 4 way stops
That being the case, we expect a significant number of homes will still not be connected by Friday and will require additional support, largely due to damage on the property itself or other obstacles which can prevent reconnection.
I wish I had more information to share from Hydro Ottawa. It is a frustrating gap and I get a similar sense from residents, other Councillors and city departments. The damage from the storm is very significant and the repairs complex.
My office has been compiling and trying to get neighbourhood-level details about which areas are out and why some areas that were reconnected have lost power again.
In the newsletter below, you will find information I hope is helpful, relevant and reliable. I have been in touch with several departments within the City to relay your concerns and the needs of our community.
If you are reading this and still have no power to your home, please reply with your address or street name to let my staff know what areas of the ward are still without power. They may not be able to reply to every email, but it will give us a better understanding of what areas continue to be affected.
Residents in Alta Vista are compassionate and giving. We helped each other through the pandemic and we are helping each other now. Please check in on folks in your neighbourhoods and let me know how I can help you and them.
Kindest Regards,
Councillor Jean Cloutier
Additional Green Bin Pick Up
Staff are working to respond to the severe thunderstorm that hit our City on Saturday May 21st. As you are aware, we are shifting our approach with regards to the collection of organics (green bin).
In addition to Ward 18’s usual collection days (Tuesday and Wednesday this week due to Monday’s statutory holiday), staff will be providing green bin collection services to Ward 18 tomorrow, on Friday, May 27th.
We are asking that Ward 18 residents place their green bin only at the curb for collection tomorrow. We will do our best to complete collection, however, if the bin is not collected by end of day, residents are asked to bring the bin back in until their regularly scheduled collection day.
Emergency Financial Aid
If you were affected by the power outage and are in need of financial help, you may complete an application for emergency assistance for loss of food and in exceptional circumstances for help with medication, medical supplies or personal care.
How do I apply?
Applications for emergency assistance are completed online or over
the phone.
- Go to the online application for emergency assistance
- Or call 3-1-1, select 1 for English or 2 for French and 4 for Social Services
- City staff will complete an assessment to see if you qualify
- If you are already in receipt of Ontario Works, please call your case worker directly
What to do with your storm-related waste
Examples: Shingles, fencing, lawn furniture. Visit the Waste Explorer for more.
How to dispose: Please separate storm-related waste from any trees or branches when you put them to the curb.
The City’s landfill at the Trail Waste Facility, at 4475 Trail Road, is also offering extended hours to accommodate special collections and will waive tipping fees for residents with storm-related materials to support residents with their disposal needs.
What to do with your tree cuttings, branches and brush
Examples: logs, large tree limbs, pressure treated wood
How to dispose: If the debris is small enough, you should bring it to curb for collection, provided it does not impede the roadway or pedestrian access. Please separate brush-like tree cuttings or branches from non-organic storm-related waste. If you can, use twine or another organic material to tie branches in bundles of less than 1.2 metres (four feet) in length and 60 centimetres (two feet) in width.
Public Works crews are working to remove large trees and pieces of wood on roads and in parks that are hazardous, or are damaging homes and vehicles, blocking roads, or leaning on residential properties. Large trees, trunks, stumps and root systems that residents have cut down may be placed curbside if possible. While these will not be collected as part of the regular waste collection, the City will pick them up. This collection will take several weeks.
For now, you do not need a permit to remove dead or hazardous trees on your private property where the tree is an immediate threat to public health and safety or will not survive the damage sustained. Photos should be taken before removal to provide evidence of the condition of the tree should there be future inquiries.