City checking on Ottawa flood victims during 'very challenging time'

City checking on Ottawa flood victims during 'very challenging time'

Firefighters have conducted over 1,000 door-to-door wellness visits

Ottawa Public Health (OPH) is offering wellness resources for residents affected by last week's Canada Day storm, including co-ordinating door-to-door check-ins.

The heavy rainfall on July 1 led to flooding in several neighbourhoods and resulted in damage to thousands of homes, including the one owned by Shannon Kalil.

The storm caused nearly three feet of dirty water to flood her basement, leaving her in shock.

“I stood there and stared at it because I was in disbelief that there was that amount of water in there," she said.

The flooding caused orange and white fluffy mould to grow, forcing Kalil out of her home.

Now she's riddled with stress as she navigates repairs and insurance claims without knowing when she can return, she said.

Dr. Trevor Arnason, OPH’s medical officer of health, says mental health is just as important as physical health as communities rebuild after the storm.

That's why OPH is working with city partners to co-ordinate wellness visits to check in on flood victims.

As of Thursday afternoon, Ottawa firefighters and St. John Ambulance had conducted over 1,000 door-to-door wellness visits in the neighborhoods that were most impacted.

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“Cleaning up after a flood can be a very challenging time,” Arnason said. “People have to throw out many items of value and items that have some personal significance.”

The OPH website has information to help residents respond to stressful events, including guidance specific to residential floods.

"People are concerned about the physical aspects like the illness that could come from floodwaters," Arnsason said, "but it’s also important to recognize that there is a strong emotional toll on many people relating to these events."

Justin Ball is a reporter at CBC Ottawa. He has also worked at The Toronto Star and is currently completing a journalism degree at Carleton University.