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THUNDERSTORM MAY 2022 UPDATES & RESOUCRES |
A huge THANK YOU to the staff at Pinecrest Rec Center for helping to serve our residents by opening as a reception center.
Showers, washroom facilities and charging areas with WIFI were made available from 10am to 10pm 7 days a week.
Showers, washroom facilities and charging areas with WIFI were made available from 10am to 10pm 7 days a week.
June 13, 2022
UPDATE: Storm Cleanup
Since the storm on May 21, Public Works staff have been fully deployed to support recovery and clean-up. The response has required a tremendous level of dedicated work and coordination across Public Works. As a result, many regular maintenance activities were suspended or delayed to allow staff to focus on the clean-up work required after the storm.
The City’s top priority after the storm was public safety. Immediate recovery efforts were focused on supporting our hydro partners in reinstating power to the residents of Ottawa.
Public Works also provided support for organic waste disposal, worked to maintain traffic and road safety, and immediately began to undertake debris removal, prioritizing highly impacted areas.
We are transitioning to the next phase of storm recovery, with a continued focus on priority forestry operations while winding-down debris management activities in order to facilitate the resumption of routine maintenance and operations.
Road, Sidewalk and Curbside Clean-up Efforts
As of June 10, Public Works has collected debris from over 10,000 lane kilometers of our city’s roadways, and a first pass for curbside debris collection has been completed city-wide. That is more kilometers than it takes to drive across Canada, from the east to west coast.
Crews have conducted, at minimum, a first pass of special storm-related debris collection on all City streets. Much progress has been made since the storm, and debris collection operations are ongoing.
This week, staff will be completing a second pass of special storm-related debris collection. Second and third passes have already begun in the most highly impacted areas, including Navan, Pineglen, Uplands and Stittsville.
Since the storm, Public Works has provided special curbside collection of storm related debris. In most areas of the city, the need for collection of storm related debris is now far less, and Public Works is planning for a gradual return to normal curbside debris collection.
Gradual Return to Normal Curbside Debris Collection
For large storm related tree debris, we ask that residents bring remaining storm related tree debris to the curb by Friday June 24. This will allow staff to complete a final pass using heavy equipment.
Rest assured, Public Works will continue to assist residents in the hardest hit areas as needed and will continue to address service requests as they arise.
For remaining smaller branches and debris, we ask residents to package these in properly sized yard waste bags or bundled for regular weekly leaf and yard waste collection. For further leaf and yard waste set-out information, visit ottawa.ca/greenbin. The disposal of organic storm-related organic debris at the Trail Waste Facility continues to be free of charge until end-of-day Saturday June 25.
Residents can haul organic storm-related waste to Trail Road at their convenience, and free of charge, until that date. We will continue to monitor the situation and adjust this date if needed.
Through the duration of cleanup efforts, Roads and Parking Services continued to address potholes in hazardous, priority locations.
Regular pothole operations are beginning to resume, although some delays have been reported. Parks and Forestry Clean-up Public Works staff are currently focused on addressing hazards in parks and continuing to respond to City tree debris on private property.
Since May 21, Parks Maintenance staff identified 528 parks with varying degrees of tree related damage requiring work. As of June 9, storm response work in 256 parks is complete, with work in 272 remaining. Public Works was fortunate to receive assistance from the Ministry of Natural Resources and Forestry rangers, who supported the City in the removal of damaged trees in parks and pathways.
Forestry contractors have been made available to assist with these works and will continue to support through the coming weeks. The clean-up efforts remaining for our parks and City trees are significant, and staff are addressing them on a priority basis. It will take several weeks to complete this work.
From June 13 to June 17, a City of Hamilton Forestry crew will assist the City of Ottawa in addressing high priority and complex work related to City tree removal operations. This support will provide Public Works crews with much needed assistance in the enormous task of addressing the damage done by the storm to City trees.
Gradual Return to Normal Parks and Forestry Maintenance
Over the past two weeks, residents may have noticed longer grass in their community parks and along their roadsides and medians. While staff were fully deployed to storm response, some of these normal operations were suspended. That temporary suspension has ended, and Public Works has resumed grass cutting in parks and along roadways.
Public Works will be catching up to mowing operations through the week of June 21, and then starting a second cycle.
Staff will also continue to clean up debris in parks over the next couple of weeks. Approximately 70% of parks staff have returned to regular operations. The remaining staff are supporting the cleanup of tree debris in parks and roadsides. Additional parks staff and contracted services are being allocated to the cleanup of tree debris, and to catch up on outstanding passive and roadside grass cutting.
Public Works remains mindful that some residents are continuing to deal with the aftermath of the storm.
Please visit the City’s storm response webpage for up-to-date information on what supports are available.
This clean-up effort is the largest Public Works has ever led. It will take months before it is all complete, but our teams have made incredible progress and will continue until the job is done.
UPDATE: Storm Cleanup
Since the storm on May 21, Public Works staff have been fully deployed to support recovery and clean-up. The response has required a tremendous level of dedicated work and coordination across Public Works. As a result, many regular maintenance activities were suspended or delayed to allow staff to focus on the clean-up work required after the storm.
The City’s top priority after the storm was public safety. Immediate recovery efforts were focused on supporting our hydro partners in reinstating power to the residents of Ottawa.
Public Works also provided support for organic waste disposal, worked to maintain traffic and road safety, and immediately began to undertake debris removal, prioritizing highly impacted areas.
We are transitioning to the next phase of storm recovery, with a continued focus on priority forestry operations while winding-down debris management activities in order to facilitate the resumption of routine maintenance and operations.
Road, Sidewalk and Curbside Clean-up Efforts
As of June 10, Public Works has collected debris from over 10,000 lane kilometers of our city’s roadways, and a first pass for curbside debris collection has been completed city-wide. That is more kilometers than it takes to drive across Canada, from the east to west coast.
Crews have conducted, at minimum, a first pass of special storm-related debris collection on all City streets. Much progress has been made since the storm, and debris collection operations are ongoing.
This week, staff will be completing a second pass of special storm-related debris collection. Second and third passes have already begun in the most highly impacted areas, including Navan, Pineglen, Uplands and Stittsville.
Since the storm, Public Works has provided special curbside collection of storm related debris. In most areas of the city, the need for collection of storm related debris is now far less, and Public Works is planning for a gradual return to normal curbside debris collection.
Gradual Return to Normal Curbside Debris Collection
For large storm related tree debris, we ask that residents bring remaining storm related tree debris to the curb by Friday June 24. This will allow staff to complete a final pass using heavy equipment.
Rest assured, Public Works will continue to assist residents in the hardest hit areas as needed and will continue to address service requests as they arise.
For remaining smaller branches and debris, we ask residents to package these in properly sized yard waste bags or bundled for regular weekly leaf and yard waste collection. For further leaf and yard waste set-out information, visit ottawa.ca/greenbin. The disposal of organic storm-related organic debris at the Trail Waste Facility continues to be free of charge until end-of-day Saturday June 25.
Residents can haul organic storm-related waste to Trail Road at their convenience, and free of charge, until that date. We will continue to monitor the situation and adjust this date if needed.
Through the duration of cleanup efforts, Roads and Parking Services continued to address potholes in hazardous, priority locations.
Regular pothole operations are beginning to resume, although some delays have been reported. Parks and Forestry Clean-up Public Works staff are currently focused on addressing hazards in parks and continuing to respond to City tree debris on private property.
Since May 21, Parks Maintenance staff identified 528 parks with varying degrees of tree related damage requiring work. As of June 9, storm response work in 256 parks is complete, with work in 272 remaining. Public Works was fortunate to receive assistance from the Ministry of Natural Resources and Forestry rangers, who supported the City in the removal of damaged trees in parks and pathways.
Forestry contractors have been made available to assist with these works and will continue to support through the coming weeks. The clean-up efforts remaining for our parks and City trees are significant, and staff are addressing them on a priority basis. It will take several weeks to complete this work.
From June 13 to June 17, a City of Hamilton Forestry crew will assist the City of Ottawa in addressing high priority and complex work related to City tree removal operations. This support will provide Public Works crews with much needed assistance in the enormous task of addressing the damage done by the storm to City trees.
Gradual Return to Normal Parks and Forestry Maintenance
Over the past two weeks, residents may have noticed longer grass in their community parks and along their roadsides and medians. While staff were fully deployed to storm response, some of these normal operations were suspended. That temporary suspension has ended, and Public Works has resumed grass cutting in parks and along roadways.
Public Works will be catching up to mowing operations through the week of June 21, and then starting a second cycle.
Staff will also continue to clean up debris in parks over the next couple of weeks. Approximately 70% of parks staff have returned to regular operations. The remaining staff are supporting the cleanup of tree debris in parks and roadsides. Additional parks staff and contracted services are being allocated to the cleanup of tree debris, and to catch up on outstanding passive and roadside grass cutting.
Public Works remains mindful that some residents are continuing to deal with the aftermath of the storm.
Please visit the City’s storm response webpage for up-to-date information on what supports are available.
This clean-up effort is the largest Public Works has ever led. It will take months before it is all complete, but our teams have made incredible progress and will continue until the job is done.
You asked: How to dispose of organic storm debris, and when will grass cutting resume?
June 10, 2022
While the power has been restored to Hydro Ottawa and Hydro One customers, the cleanup after this powerful storm, which impacted every corner of the city, continues. Roadways have been cleared and reopened and all damaged traffic signals have been repaired. However, the ongoing cleanup will continue to require additional resources.
We have provided information continuously throughout the recovery, and we understand all the updates can create information overload. So, we want to answer some common questions that we received from you, our residents. We are hoping these answers will help make things a little clearer.
Are you still picking up larger tree branches and brush?
Yes, the City still has dedicated crews conducting assessments and special collections of tree debris. Dedicated crews have mostly completed a first round of collection, and they are currently making a second pass in heavily impacted areas. We appreciate your patience.
If you haven’t gathered your larger organic storm debris, take advantage of this special collection before it transitions back to regular weekly leaf and yard collection. Our regular collection crews are picking up as much of the curbside debris as possible; special collections crews are handling any larger tree debris that our regular curbside collectors and equipment cannot manage. Just leave everything at the curb for pick-up. Be sure your branches are not obstructing any road, sidewalk, or fire hydrant.
Note that the City continues to accept larger, organic storm-related waste free-of-charge at Trail Road Waste Facility until June 25. For location and hours and operation, visit ottawa.ca.
I have smaller tree debris and brush. Can I simply use my regular leaf and yard waste collection?
Smaller branches and brush can be put out as part of your leaf and yard waste on your weekly waste and recycling collection day. You just need to bundle and tie it or brown-bag it.
Bundling small branches or for those larger ones cut into smaller pieces
My fallen City tree has been removed. Will someone comeback to remove the stump?
The City will take care of the stump from fallen City-owned trees. This will take time. Before it can be done, your gas and power lines will be marked to ensure only the stump is cut and grinded. This same process as when damaged ash trees were taken down after they were ravaged by the Emerald Ash Borer. There’s no need to call 3-1-1 to request a City tree-stump be removed once the tree is taken away; we will be back for it.
For removal of privately-owned tree stumps, you will need to contact a tree removal company. Also, markings for any underground utility lines – electrical and gas – will need to be done before any digging or grinding work is done. Property owners can consult with their insurance company or broker to see if stump removal is eligible under storm-related coverage in their plan.
When will the City cut the grass on the medians and parks in our neighbourhood?
Yes, tall grass may be seen on your neighbourhood medians and parks – especially after all that rain. Many of the staff who would normally complete that sort of maintenance are still working hard in the cleanup recovery across the city – especially harder hit communities. However, we are gradually moving back to normal operations, and we’ll get to that grass as soon as possible.
For many neighbourhoods, the May 21 storm is just a distant memory. But for some of us, the extensive damage and recovery efforts remain a present reality. Many of our City Public Works resources are focusing their energy on cleaning up those heavily impacted neighbourhoods - and soon, services and life will get back to normal. Thank you for your patience
https://ottawa.ca/en/news/you-asked-how-dispose-organic-storm-debris-and-when-will-grass-cutting-resume
June 10, 2022
While the power has been restored to Hydro Ottawa and Hydro One customers, the cleanup after this powerful storm, which impacted every corner of the city, continues. Roadways have been cleared and reopened and all damaged traffic signals have been repaired. However, the ongoing cleanup will continue to require additional resources.
We have provided information continuously throughout the recovery, and we understand all the updates can create information overload. So, we want to answer some common questions that we received from you, our residents. We are hoping these answers will help make things a little clearer.
Are you still picking up larger tree branches and brush?
Yes, the City still has dedicated crews conducting assessments and special collections of tree debris. Dedicated crews have mostly completed a first round of collection, and they are currently making a second pass in heavily impacted areas. We appreciate your patience.
If you haven’t gathered your larger organic storm debris, take advantage of this special collection before it transitions back to regular weekly leaf and yard collection. Our regular collection crews are picking up as much of the curbside debris as possible; special collections crews are handling any larger tree debris that our regular curbside collectors and equipment cannot manage. Just leave everything at the curb for pick-up. Be sure your branches are not obstructing any road, sidewalk, or fire hydrant.
Note that the City continues to accept larger, organic storm-related waste free-of-charge at Trail Road Waste Facility until June 25. For location and hours and operation, visit ottawa.ca.
I have smaller tree debris and brush. Can I simply use my regular leaf and yard waste collection?
Smaller branches and brush can be put out as part of your leaf and yard waste on your weekly waste and recycling collection day. You just need to bundle and tie it or brown-bag it.
Bundling small branches or for those larger ones cut into smaller pieces
- Bundled and tied using twine or other organic material.
- Individual branches should be less than 10 centimetres (4 inches) in diameter.
- Bundles must be less than 1,2 metres (four feet) in length and 60 centimetres (two feet) in width.
My fallen City tree has been removed. Will someone comeback to remove the stump?
The City will take care of the stump from fallen City-owned trees. This will take time. Before it can be done, your gas and power lines will be marked to ensure only the stump is cut and grinded. This same process as when damaged ash trees were taken down after they were ravaged by the Emerald Ash Borer. There’s no need to call 3-1-1 to request a City tree-stump be removed once the tree is taken away; we will be back for it.
For removal of privately-owned tree stumps, you will need to contact a tree removal company. Also, markings for any underground utility lines – electrical and gas – will need to be done before any digging or grinding work is done. Property owners can consult with their insurance company or broker to see if stump removal is eligible under storm-related coverage in their plan.
When will the City cut the grass on the medians and parks in our neighbourhood?
Yes, tall grass may be seen on your neighbourhood medians and parks – especially after all that rain. Many of the staff who would normally complete that sort of maintenance are still working hard in the cleanup recovery across the city – especially harder hit communities. However, we are gradually moving back to normal operations, and we’ll get to that grass as soon as possible.
For many neighbourhoods, the May 21 storm is just a distant memory. But for some of us, the extensive damage and recovery efforts remain a present reality. Many of our City Public Works resources are focusing their energy on cleaning up those heavily impacted neighbourhoods - and soon, services and life will get back to normal. Thank you for your patience
https://ottawa.ca/en/news/you-asked-how-dispose-organic-storm-debris-and-when-will-grass-cutting-resume
Volunteer Update
The Emergency Operations Centre, in partnership with community agencies will launch a volunteer program for residents interested in helping recovery efforts in their community and for those in need. This program will be similar to Cleaning the Capital where we encourage neighbours to clean up their impacted communities. We're looking for councillors, community associations, and other partners to work together and carry out cleanup efforts in partnership with the city. Further information will be available shortly.
The Emergency Operations Centre, in partnership with community agencies will launch a volunteer program for residents interested in helping recovery efforts in their community and for those in need. This program will be similar to Cleaning the Capital where we encourage neighbours to clean up their impacted communities. We're looking for councillors, community associations, and other partners to work together and carry out cleanup efforts in partnership with the city. Further information will be available shortly.
May 23, 2022
This Victoria Day weekend will forever be remembered. Not for celebration but for hardship and loss, leaving many questions begging for answers.
Alot has happened over the past couple of days since the storm hit on Saturday and information is coming from from a myriad of different sources all while changing almost hourly.
Your College Ward team has made themselves available throughout the weekend by email and phone, providing assistance to residents and late into the evenings.
We have also had the opportunity to observe the damage throughout the ward first hand and meet some of our residents along the way. It's an experience that leaves a lasting impression and we are forever grateful to live in a City where neighbors look out for each other.
We have submitted service requests to 311 for those who have reached out so far and documented more for submission while out this afternoon.
Click HERE
This Victoria Day weekend will forever be remembered. Not for celebration but for hardship and loss, leaving many questions begging for answers.
Alot has happened over the past couple of days since the storm hit on Saturday and information is coming from from a myriad of different sources all while changing almost hourly.
Your College Ward team has made themselves available throughout the weekend by email and phone, providing assistance to residents and late into the evenings.
We have also had the opportunity to observe the damage throughout the ward first hand and meet some of our residents along the way. It's an experience that leaves a lasting impression and we are forever grateful to live in a City where neighbors look out for each other.
We have submitted service requests to 311 for those who have reached out so far and documented more for submission while out this afternoon.
Click HERE
It's worth acknowledging that this was no ordinary thunderstorm.
It was, as Environment Canada Senior Climatologist David Phillips explains, a Derecho storm. “It’s sort of like a microburst or a thunderstorm but you get a whole army of those. Imagine soldiers lined up and just mowing down the front lines as they move along. Meteorologically, that’s essentially what happens....a long line of very active thunderstorms or microburst"
It was, as Environment Canada Senior Climatologist David Phillips explains, a Derecho storm. “It’s sort of like a microburst or a thunderstorm but you get a whole army of those. Imagine soldiers lined up and just mowing down the front lines as they move along. Meteorologically, that’s essentially what happens....a long line of very active thunderstorms or microburst"
Weather events like this can affect everyone differently. If you are feeling stressed or overwhelmed, please reach out and speak to someone. For mental health services and supports, please visit OttawaPublicHealth.ca/StressfulEvents(link is external).
Residents in need can call 2-1-1 for information(link is external) on government and local community-based health and social services.
The City of Ottawa is also providing updates on their website.
Residents in need can call 2-1-1 for information(link is external) on government and local community-based health and social services.
The City of Ottawa is also providing updates on their website.
To help sort through the various updates, please click on the photo for the corresponding update.
Power Restoration
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Traffic Impacts/Road Closures
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Reception Centers
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College Ward is truly a gem and we will continue our efforts to restore our beautiful community.