State of Emergency declared in Mattawa
By Brad Aubin
A State of Emergency has been declared in Mattawa.
It was declared by Mayor Raymond Bélanger at 4:00 p.m. on Thursday, April 30.
In an update from the town, Bélanger shared they were advised by authorities that the major damage flood level had been exceeded and will continue to rise over the next few days.
He says the current level of the Ottawa River prevents the Mattawa River to outflow and causes it to rise. The town has redeployed resources to elevate the berm along Mattawan St.
Bélanger says due to extra work, especially along Mattawan Streets, residents may experience area road closures.
The mayor says sandbagging has begun at vulnerable areas and a callout to all volunteers has been made to help fill sandbags.
Residents are also reminded to stay away from moving water.
In the North Bay area, the Ministry of Natural Resources says flood warnings continue, and have been extended, for the Lake Nipissing Shoreline and along the Upper Ottawa River, between Lake Timiskaming and the east boundary of Papineau-Cameron Township, including the Town of Mattawa.
A new flood warning has been issued for the Lake Temagami area.
All three are in place until next Friday, May 8.
The local conservation authority adds the La Vase River downstream of Lakeshore Dr, Parks Creek and Mattawa River downstream of Hurdman Dam are also under a flood warning.
In West Nipissing, the OPP has closed HWY 63 from Marten River to Sturgeon Falls due to flooding.
Brad Aubinhttp://www.mynorthbaynow.comBrad is Vista Radio's Senior News Director for Ontario. He was born in Sudbury, raised in Kapuskasing and has lived in the North Bay area for nearly 20 years. A Canadore College grad, he has worked for many newspapers across the north, and joined the broadcasting side of the business in 2020. The proud husband and father of two loves sharing important local and area news to listeners. If you have a news tip you'd like to share, e-mail baubin@vistaradio.ca.
