April 6, 2023 storm response newsletter from Rawlson King, City Councillor for Rideau-Rockcliffe.
This has been a challenging two days as Ottawa continues to experience widespread power outages, Internet disruptions and downed and damaged trees in the aftermath of Wednesday's ice storm, the worst since 1998.
It is important to note that Hydro Ottawa has advised that power restoration will be a multi-day event and that there will be customers who will remain without power past today.
I toured all Rideau-Rockcliffe neighbourhoods on Thursday morning, including New Edinburgh, Manor Park, Rockcliffe Park, Wateridge Village, Overbrook, Lindenlea, Viscount Alexander Park, Quarries, Rockcliffe Mews, Forbes, Castle Heights and part of Carson Grove. Many trees are damaged and down. Some roads remained impassable this morning due to downed lines.
My sincere thanks to City of Ottawa staff, Hydro Ottawa crews, Ottawa Fire Services, Ottawa police, Ottawa paramedics, Ottawa Bylaw Officers and Ottawa Public Health for working around the clock to assist residents and to provide updates.
My Ward 13 team and I continue to share important updates on our social media channels, my website and my Facebook page. Keep checking the Updates section of my website for important news as well as the Health and Public Safety section of my website for important information on emergency preparedness as well as updates from Ottawa's emergency services, Public Health and Ottawa Bylaw.
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My team and I are here to help. Please email my office at [email protected] or call 613-580-2483.
For urgent and after-hours issues, please call 3-1-1.
Hydro Ottawa Updates
Hydro Ottawa continues to report many outages impacting thousands of customers in Ottawa as a result of the freezing rain conditions. The situation continues to fluctuate and conditions are very poor and unsafe as a result of bad road conditions, ice build up and downed trees and power lines in many areas of the city. Hydro Ottawa updates: hydroottawa.com/en
Extra crews and contractors have now joined Hydro Ottawa's restoration efforts. Hydro Ottawa's primary focus today has been addressing the top 20 outages, which represent approximately 40,000 customers. To check estimated restoration times, please visit: hydroottawa.com/outages Hydro Ottawa has been focused on restoring power to the top 20 impacted areas in Ottawa. There are still a number of areas where Hydro Ottawa does not have estimated times for restoration. Hydro Ottawa is aware and continuing to do assessments on those.
If you don’t see your outage on Hydro Ottawa's map, or are having difficulty reporting an outage online, please call their 24/7 outage line at 613-738-0188. hydroottawa.com/en/outages-safety/outage-centre
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Ice can put a lot of stress on powerlines causing them to sag or collapse. If you notice excessive ice build-up on power lines, stay clear and call Hydro Ottawa at 613-738-0188 or online via your MyAccount customer portal (login required).
Please do not approach downed lines.
The storm may have caused damage to homeowner-owned electrical equipment, such as the meter mast and wires connecting directly to the house. If this is the case, the homeowner may need to make repairs (with a qualified electrical contractor) to their equipment before Hydro Ottawa is able to reconnect power. In some cases, temporary repairs may be allowed to enable immediate power.
Do you know how to stay safe during prolonged outage?
Hydro Ottawa's website provides essential tips and resources to help you stay safe and informed during power outages.
City of Ottawa Services
The City moved into Enhanced Operations the evening of April 5 to support recovery efforts following this significant weather event.
- There are still intersections across the City that remain hazardous due to fallen debris and power outages affecting traffic signals. The Ottawa Police Service and the City's Public Works Department continue to support public safety and debris removal efforts, respectively.
- Staff are prioritizing work to address trees and limbs that are blocking streets and those that may otherwise pose a hazard to residents or property. Once hazards and streets are cleared, staff and contractors will address broken limbs, non-hazardous removals, and brush/wood cleanup. Further, some trees may require reinspection and pruning work following the storm.
- Staff and contractors will be working over the coming weeks to address storm related service requests.
- Residents are advised to stay inside, safely away from broken and hanging branches/limbs or leaning trees. Please also be aware of ice chunks melting and falling from above.
- Multiple power outages throughout the City may affect the operation of traffic signals. Residents are reminded that a traffic signal without power should be treated as a four-way stop.
All City updates are being shared at this link: ottawa.ca/en/storm-cleanup-april-2023
Trees, limbs and brush
Forestry’s work will be a primary focus. Forestry Services has received more than 1,600 requests for service since Wednesday. Reports are coming in from all over the city, but mature neighbourhoods with larger trees appear to have been highly affected.
This cleanup will be a multi-week effort requiring plenty of resources. We thank residents for their patience, and for staying safely away from precarious limbs and trees.
Waste and tree debris collection/disposal
Tree cuttings, branches and brush may be placed at the curb for chipping or collection. Residents are asked to be patient, as this chipping and/or collection by City crews and contracted services will take some time. Starting tomorrow (Friday, April 7), tipping fees at the City’s landfill site at the Trail Waste Facility are being temporarily waived for residents with tree-cuttings, brush and branches due to the storm. The Trail Waste Facility is open Monday to Friday from 7 am to 6 pm. On Good Friday (Friday, April 7) and Easter Monday (Monday, April 10), it is open from 9 am to 5 pm, and it is also open on Saturday, April 15 from 8 am to 4 pm.
For spoiled food waste, residents are encouraged to use their green bin, and to consider public health guidance on food safety during an outage.
For the full update from Public Works, please visit my website.
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Almost all City facilities are accessible to the public to charge their devices and access washrooms. Please note that not all facilities have showers or public WiFi.
The following City facilities are located in or near Rideau-Rockcliffe.
- Bernard-Grandmaître Arena, 309 McArthur Avenue
- Overbrook Community Centre, 33 Quill Street
- Richelieu Vanier Community Centre, 300 Pères-Blancs Avenue
- Pat Clark Community Centre, 4355 Halmont Drive
The complete list is available on my website.
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Report a downed or damaged tree on City property by calling 3-1-1. Please note, the City's 3-1-1 call centre is experiencing higher than normal call volumes. Consider using the callback feature. You will not lose your place in the queue when you request a callback and the next available agent will contact you.
Ottawa Public Health
Drinking Water
Power outages can disrupt well water drinking supplies. Using the water while the power is out depressurizes the system and increases the chances of contamination. Visit the OPH website to learn more about what to do during an outage and after power is restored: ottawapublichealth.ca/en/severe-weather.aspx#After-power-is-restored
Food Safety
OPH's website has information on food safety during a power outage, mental health resources and more. But some of you might be dealing with limited internet access. If you can't access OPH's website, their nurses are here for you. Call 613-580-6744.
Emergency Services
Get the appropriate help. If you have a medical or fire emergency during a power outage, call 911 for emergency services.
A message from Ottawa Fire Services: If your power is out, take a moment to keep yourself and your family safe by checking that the battery backup in your smoke alarm is working. And if you are using a generator, review these important safety tips.
A message from Ottawa Bylaw: Arborists across the city are extremely busy. As such, Bylaw Officers have been setting up caution tape around dangerous fallen trees until they can be removed. Please exercise caution in these areas.
We are here to help
To connect with my Ward 13 team, please email [email protected] or call my office at 613-580-2483.
For urgent and after-hours issues, please call 3-1-1.
