Hundreds of Gatineau residents still in hotels, 4 months after floods

Four months afterhistoric floods struckwest Quebec, Gatineau couple Patrick Dawson and AmandaLarabeeare facing a falland winter of uncertainty.

They're among the dozens of flood victimsstill relying on the supportof the Canadian Red Cross, after this spring's floodwaters spilled into their home on Rue Glauderendering it practically unlivable.

"We had a pump running. There was a lot of water outside. I spent until 4 a.m. putting [up] sandbags," Dawson recalled.

"We were confident it wasn't going to get any worse. And then it got worse."

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According to the Canadian Red Cross, some240Gatineauresidents are still being lodged in local hotels. Another 150 or so are receiving food supplieswhile they staywith friends or relatives.

StphaneMartel, the co-ordinator of the agency'sGatineauoffice, told Radio-Canada that number could rise as cold weather approachesand many flooded-out homes remain without power.

Homeowners who've returned home to make repairs might need to leave again, meaning they'll once again need temporary shelter, Martelsaid.

'So incredibly grateful'

That's what happened to Larabieand Dawson, who tried to return in July but are now back staying in a hotel.

Last week, a contractor told the couple thatthe house might not survive the winter. Since then, they've been packing what they can so if the house does collapse it doesn't take their personal belongings with it.

"There's a lot of mold that's starting to grow, because there's always water no matter what. There's too many holes in the foundation," he said.

"I'm [pretty sure] that by the time it starts freezing that the walls could start collapsing."

Larabiesaidin the tryingmonths since the floods hit, the Red Cross has been incredibly supportive.

"I am so, so incredibly grateful for the Red Cross. I can't even explain the gratitude that we have towards them.They'vebeen there for us a hundred per cent of thefrom the beginning," she said.

"And it's not just to help youto pay for your hotel or for your food or anything ... They're there for you psychologically. They have people on site that you can go and talk to if you're having a hard time."

Facing bankruptcy

More than 1,800 homes in Gatineau were flooded this spring. According to provincial legislation, residents whose homes are located in a 0-to-20-year flood zone and need to be demolished will not be allowed to rebuild.

Dawson said their houseis located in a 20-to-100-year flood zone, just metres away from the higher-risk zone, which would have increased the amount of compensation they were eligible for.

While they did getan initial$5,000 from the Quebec government after the flood waters receded, and have been told they could be eligible for a further $135,000. Dawson said it's not evenenough to cover their mortgage.

• What is covered under the Quebec government's flooding compensation plan?

The couple hasconsulted a bankruptcy expert, but they're hoping it doesn't come to that.

"If we get our answer tomorrow that they would give us enough money, and we don't have to declare bankruptcy and it's enough to restart our lives somewehere else we could be gone within a day or two," Dawson said.

"Because we're ready to leave."