Flood warnings issued along the Ottawa River

Residents living in parts of eastern Ontario and western Quebec stocked up on sandbags and continued with last-minute flooding preparations as rain continuedto fall throughout the region on Friday.

The Outaouais municipalitiesof Pontiac, Val-des-Monts andSaint-Andr-Avellin havedeclared states of emergency due torising waters.

PontiacMayor Joanne Labadie spoke Friday aboutplans for the municipality.

"We're asking people if they can evacuate voluntarily to do so. We have firefighters and volunteers who are going door-to-door advising people that they may be evacuated at a short notice," she said.

Heavy rains are in the forecast until Sunday, and coupled with the melting snowpack, there are concernsthe Ottawa River could rise to levels not seen sincethe devastating floods of 2017.

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Those concerns have spurred homeowners to descend upon the many sandbag stations set up in both Ottawa and Gatineau.

Mayor Jim Watson tweeted out that over 200 people filled 5,000 sandbags in fourhours, but also askedfor volunteers to assist in the future.

Gatineau is asking for volunteers to assist with filling sandbags atArna Beaudryfrom 10 a.m. to 2 p.m. Saturday. Officials there say 93,000 sandbags have been handed out since Wednesday.

Flood warnings issued

The Rideau Valley Conservation Authority has issued a flood warning for areas under its jurisdiction that will last until Sunday.

The South Nation Conservation has done the same, warning in a statement that "It is difficult to accurately predict how quickly water levels will rise and when river conditions may peak."

Canadian Forces to assist

Prime Minister Justin Trudeau tweeted out that he had spoken with the premiers of Quebec and New Brunswick along withMinister of Public Safety and Emergency Preparedness Ralph Goodale and the head of the Canadian Forces about the flooding.

Minister of National DefenseHarjit Sajjan also tweeted that Canadian Forces would be deployed in Quebec and New Brunswick.

Road closures

The threat of flooding has also led to a number of road closures.

In the east Ottawa community of Cumberland, police have closed Highway 174 in both directions between Cameron Street and Old Montreal Road until 7 p.m. Friday so that volunteers and workers can prepare.

• Rainfall warnings issued throughout southern Quebec as waterways overflow

The highway is expected to be closed from 8 a.m. until 6 p.m. from Saturday until Monday, as well.

The OPPhave closed Round Lake Road in Pembroke between Doran Road and Simpson Pit Road.

In the Outaouais, police have also closedEardley Roadbetween Luskville and Sainte-Ccile-de-Masham.

Gatineaubetter prepared, mayor says

Gatineau MayorMaxime Pedneaud-Jobintold Radio-Canadathe city won't force people to evacuate unless absolutely necessary.

He also said he expected people have learned from the 2017 floods and have begun taking precautions, including filling sand bags.

One area that's expected to be hit fast and hard by flooding isFer--ChevalAvenue inMasson-Angers, which is bordered by water on both sides, Pedneaud-Jobin said.

He said residents are ready and are remaining calm, but understandthey'll likelybe the first affected.