River won't peak in Ottawa today, forecasters say

Flood-weary residents of Ottawa's west end will now have to wait until Thursday or Friday to find out whether their defences against the rising Ottawa River will hold, as snow and rain drench parts of the region today.

The river was initiallypredicted to crest in neighbourhoods including Britannia, Constance Bay and Fitzroy Harbour Wednesday, but that forecast changed Wednesday morning.

• How high the Ottawa River could get: Wednesday's forecast

Water levels at the Hull Marina inGatineauare also now predicted to peak 15 centimetres lower than they had been, but will still riseabove 2017 flood levels.

The region is expecting a mix of snow, ice and 15 to 25 millimetres of rain by Thursday morning.

At a news conference Wednesday afternoon, Pierre Poirier, the city's head of emergency management, said it was still unclear whether that precipitation would have a noticeable impact.

He was hopeful, however, that there would be no other areas of the city where officials would be asking residents to leave their homes behind.

"Right now, with the river stabilizing, we're very optimistic that we won't be expanding or creating other evacuation areas," Poirier said.

Constance Bay fires

In Constance Bay, the city hasadvised residents of about 300 homes to leaveover concerns water could infiltrate the local electrical grid.

On Wednesday, ahome caught fire on Allbirch Road in the community, forcing a family of three and their dogto flee.

While they escaped safely, the fire was a "prime example" of why vehicles were being restricted from accessing certain roads in the flood zone, Ottawa Fire Services Chief Kim Ayotte said.

• Recent fires underscore need to evacuate, chief says

BayviewRoad, for instance, was closed at 9 p.m. Tuesday for security reasons.

"Please do not circumvent the barricades. It's for your safety," Ayotte said.

In another fireMonday night, firefighters were unable to enter a home due to flood water.

'The stench is quite something'

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Constance Bay resident Karen Shiller says her basement currently has about four feet of water in it, including backup from the septic pit.

Property tax relief

Speaking to reporters from Constance Bay Wednesday afternoon, Ottawa Mayor Jim Watson said the city would eventually seekfinancial help from other levels of government to help pay for the tens of thousands of sandbags that have been filled, as well as the overtime worked during the crisis.

Watson also said he'd beintroducing a motion at city hall next week to allow homeowners "hard hit" by the flood to defer paying their property taxes.

"[It's] the last thing they need to be worried about," Watson said.

One thing that isbecoming increasingly worrisome, however,is the composition of all that floodwater and whether it could be harmful.

The stench is quite something. We'll end up having to completely rip out our basement.- Karen Shiller

Constance Bay resident Karen Shiller said Wednesday her home's basement had been flooded by a pungent mix of river water and backup from her septic system.

"The stench is quite something. We'll end up having to completely rip out our basement," Shiller said.

City and public health officials said Wednesday they're not currently deeming the floodwater to be contaminated or concentrated with bacteria, but to be safe, people should still limit their exposure.

The city is also crafting plans for how to dispose of all the hazardous waste left behind once the flood waters recede, including the sand from tens of thousands of sandbags, saidLaila Gibbons, director of public safety and environment services.

That plan will be made public shortly, Gibbonssaid.

Britannia berm holding

Downstream in Britannia, the coming peaks are expected to test an earthen bermthat, so far, has been keeping the river at bay.

• Britannia surpasses water levels seen in 2017
• Britannia's berm faces its greatest test yet

The RideauValley Conservation Authority is continually monitoring the condition of the berm, Poirier said, which remained in "good condition" Friday.

Further east, along thenorth end of Churchill Avenue, about 40 homes were still being asked Friday to limit water use to ease the strain on the sanitation system.

Gibbons said city staff believe the situation on Churchill Avenue is "unique" and "isolated."

She also saidthe city would be performing"a full investigation of all infrastructure along the river's edge" once the river levels have receded.

Evacuations in Gatineau

In Gatineau, Que., the city hadissued 840 voluntary evacuation notices as of Wednesday morning, and about1,750 residents had registered as flood victims.

Flooding is still affecting two of the major roads into and out of Gatineau's downtownHighway 50 and boulevard Fourniercausingmajor traffic headaches.

The Chaudire Bridge remains closed due to the height of the raging Ottawa River. Three ferries that normally cross the river are also closed.

The city has opened adonation centre at Les Promenades Gatineau mall on boulevard Maloney, whereresidents can drop off non-perishable food items, hygiene products, cleaning suppliesand clothing.