Pierrefonds prepares for large weekend flood cleanup

The borough of Pierrefonds-Roxboro is getting ready for a large cleanup scheduled for this weekend for properties affected by severe flooding over the last few weeks.

More than 200 volunteers have signed up to help inSaturday's operation.

A spokesperson from the borough initially said it was accepting more volunteers, but it turns out the borough hasenough peoplefor the cleanup and logistically, it can't accept any more offers.

"This momentum of generosity really touched us," said Pierrefonds-Roxboro Mayor Jim Beis in a statement Friday.

Volunteers are being asked to meet atPierrefonds Comprehensive High School, across from City Hall,at9 a.m.

"From there, instructions will be given and folks will be taken to the different areas to assist the residents in whatever they need done, to help them clean up and get things back to normal," said Beis.

The operation will run until4 p.m. and a free lunch will be provided.

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Dress for the task

The borough is asking volunteers to wear long pants,a long-sleeved T-shirt or sweatshirt, and closed-toe shoes.

Additional safety gear and tools such as gloves, face masks, shovels and wheelbarrowswill be provided by the Red Cross and the borough.

Volunteers must be 16 and over, physically fit and willing to do manual labour such as lifting sandbags.

Borough officials sent out a notice this week saying that by now, waterlogged properties have had sufficient time to dry making it possible for the cleanup tobegin.

"Now we feel it's the moment that we need the volunteers to help in the day-to-day operations, to sort of get people back on their feet," Beistold CBC Montreal's Radio Noon.

If you need help

Residents in need of help are also asked to be on site or to leave a visible sign on their property marked"big cleanup operation" with a list of tasks.

For more information, contact the borough by dialling 311.

• Pierrefonds-Roxboro workers were ordered to destroy sandbags days before flooding
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