Gatineau mayor: Tornado victims especially hard-hit (VIDEO)

By Jason White

The damage from the tornado that ripped through Gatineau's Mont-Bleu neighbourhood is confined to a relatively small area, but the city's mayor says many of the affected residents were doubly-hit.

Many of the homes destroyed by Friday's tornado are apartment buildings, and Gatineau's mayor says many units were occupied by residents with low incomes.

“Life was not easy for them before the tornado,” said Mayor Maxime Pedneaud-Jobin. “So they need a lot of help.”

Listen to the mayor on Ottawa Today with Mark Sutcliffe:

More than 200 Gatineau residents spent Tuesday night in emergency housing — either in shelters or hotel rooms that were provided.

Pednaud-Jobin says the best way to help his city's tornado victims is not by donating items, but by donating cash to the Red Cross.

“We went through terrible flooding last year, and the best way for citizens to rebuild their own lives is if they can make their own choices — for clothing, for furniture,” Pedneaud-Jobin told Ottawa Today with Mark Sutcliffe on 1310 NEWS.

Pedneaud-Jobin says relief agencies have enough clothing and toys for children, but are still accepting some baby items and all personal toiletries.

Top Stories

Top Stories

Most Watched Today