Mattawa Mayor Dean Backer is concerned. Late Tuesday afternoon he was informed that more water is on its way.
“We just got off the phone with Ottawa River Regulation Planning Board (ORRPB), the Conservation Authority and the MNRF and we are looking at another 50 centimetres before tomorrow,” said Backer.
He says the excess water will be coming from both the Otto Holden Dam, the Timiskaming dam in Quebec along with the continued melt from snow still from the bush.
Backer says the town was completely caught off guard around 4 p.m. yesterday when they were informed about the flood threat. That news led the town to call a state of emergency.
“The only thing is it was detrimental to find out 4:17 p.m. last night that they were doing this and no warning whatsoever,” said Backer.
“We got caught with our pants down and I am not happy about it. We had been told for two weeks that things have peaked and nothing is going to happen and clean sailing and then 11th hour, bang, all hell broke loose.”
While that communication breakdown frustrates the Mayor, he says they need to focus on keeping the town safe. A number of roads in the area continue to be a concern due to high water including Mattawan Street, Ottawa Street, Main Street along with Bissett Street to 12th Street, including some that have been closed to traffic.
“We are dealing with it,” said Backer late Tuesday afternoon.
“We have an amazing amount of volunteers helping out and bagging sand, the amount of people going out and helping out our residents. There are some houses that have been affected immensely, there will be some more, we are just making sure everybody is safe at this time.”
Backer is amazed by the help, but he urges the curious to be cautious and stay away from the cleanup.
“Right now as much as you want to take pictures, stay in your homes,” said Backer.
“We need our volunteers and our staff to do their jobs. We have heavy machinery all over the place and if you are driving around town [taking photos] you are just getting in the way.”
However, Backer also praises the community for coming together for those in need.
“Thanks all for chipping in, it is really rewarding to see everyone coming together to help,” he said.
