It’s shaping up to be a wet weekend in the Ottawa-Gatineau area.
As of 5 p.m. Saturday, Environment Canada had issued rainfall warnings for many communities west of the nation’s capital, including Arnprior, Renfrew, Pembroke, Bancroft and Barry’s Bay.
Some places could see between 40 and 75 millimetres of rain Saturday night into Sunday, the weather agency said, with the heaviest downpours expected late Sunday morning or afternoon.
Special weather statements have been issued for other parts of eastern Ontario and western Quebec, including Ottawa-Gatineau.
Ottawa’s forecast calls for up to 15 millimetres of rain Saturday night, followed by as much as 45 millimetres of rain over the course of Sunday. There’s also a risk of a thunderstorm on both days, Environment Canada said.
In preparation for a flood, Environment Canada advises people to learn how to shut off their utilities and safeguard heating equipment, along with keeping sandbags and emergency kits.
In the case of a flood, people shouldn’t try to walk through the water — even if it looks shallow — and should also avoid driving through it.
The rain should begin to taper off Monday.