Canadian capital Ottawa under siege from floodwaters

TRENTON, Canada

The first of 400 troops arrived Friday in Ottawa to help the beleaguered Canadian capital battle rising floodwaters.

It follows Mayor Jim Watson’s declaration Thursday via Twitter of a state of emergency.

“This morning, a special weather statement from Environment Canada came into effect, calling for significant rainfall (Friday). To help City crews, volunteers and residents in the affected areas, I am declaring a State of Emergency and requesting help from the Province and army,” Watson tweeted.

The city and surrounding areas have been under siege from surging floodwaters from the Ottawa River for days.

Environment Canada issued another warning Friday that more rain is imminent and flooding will worsen “due to the limited ability of the ground to absorb this rainfall.”

Ontario Premier Doug Ford said the culprit is climate change that resulted in area residents trying to save their homes for the second time in three years.

Touring some of the flooded sections Friday, Ford said it “just rips your heart out” to see the devastation.

Ford said when the emergency ends, he will meet with homeowners to determine what steps are necessary to protect their homes in future. Ford also said the province would consider offering compensation for people to move to higher ground.

“These folks can’t go through this every single year,” he said.

Ford requested help from the federal government and Public Safety Minister Ralph Goodale assured him that aid would be provided.

Heavy flooding is also occurring further east in Quebec and New Brunswick.

On the other side of the Ottawa River in Gatineau, Quebec, more than 3,148 homes are already under water and another 2,300 are surrounded by water.

The Canadian navy has been helping to evacuate people by boat.

Further east in New Brunswick, 84 roads have been closed due to flooding, including a section of the TransCanada highway.

West of Montreal, officials are watching the hydroelectric dam on a tributary of the Ottawa River that is in danger due to surging water levels.

Earlier in the week, Prime Minister Justin Trudeau toured Gatineau and said communities throughout Canada will have institute measures in an attempt to lessen the impact of climate change.

With more rain in the forecast, officials said that peak water levels in Ottawa would not be reached until Tuesday.