Red Cross collects $3M for Quebec flood victims, but needs are still great

The Canadian Red Cross has amassed $3 million to help flood victims across the province of Quebec,but the agency says more is needed to assist the thousands of residents who have been forced out of their homes this spring.

The Quebec government has contributed $1 million, but the other two-thirdscomes from private donations made over the last 12 days,the Red Cross said Friday.

The federal government also announced Fridayit will contribute$2.5 million to the non-profit organization to assist flood victims across the country.

"This is great news for families," said the vice-president of the Canadian Red Cross's Quebec chapter, Pascal Mathieu.

"The goal is to give them a break [from]all the difficulties they have been living for a while."

While the worst of the flooding appears to be over, Montreal Mayor Valrie Plante announced Friday that city council had voted to extend the city's state of emergency for another five days.

She said the situation is "stable" but water levels remain high.

Starting nextweek, eligible families those whose principal residence has been severely damaged by flooding will be receiving a direct deposit of $600.

The aid will be paid to the "hardest hit" families, those whose main residence has suffered "major damage," Mathieusaid.

"Anything above floor level would be considered serious to us," he said. Victims need to register through the agency'swebsite.

"We already have about 3,000 registered. But talking to cities and the Quebec government, we're expecting more about 5,000."

The Red Cross will verify the identity of the registrants applying for assistance and ensure that the affected residence is in an area that has been flooded.

Mathieu also emphasized that the Red Cross is still raising funds, and he invited the population to continue donating.

Helping thousands get back on their feet

So far, more than 11,000 donations, such as beds, bedding and toiletries have come in, and some 350 volunteers have been mobilized.

Apart from the round-the-clock command centre,24 shelters and information centres have been set up in affected municipalities across the province, the agency says. The Red Cross has been offering counseling, food and overnight lodging.

The first thing people should do if they want to helpis donate, said Mathieu.

"If we want the Red Cross to keep helping down the road, please donate," Mathieu said, noting donations can be made through the website or by phone.

People looking to fill sandbags or help with the cleanup should check with their local authorities. Somecities and towns, he said, are positing volunteering information on municipal websites.

According to the latest figures released this morning by Urgence Qubec, 7,172 homes are currently flooded in the province; 3,928 homes are isolated by floodwaters, and more than 10,000 have been forced out of their homes.

Volunteering great way to stay active

Eleven years ago, Denis Desiletswas about to retire and looking for volunteer opportunities.Hewas encouraged by a colleague to join the Red Cross.

"As soon as I got in the movement, I realized that was where I wanted to be," said Desilets, who helped out after the 2013Lac-Mganticrail disaster.

"That was where I wanted to invest my time."

Even the smallest difference made in the life of a victim is"very precious," he said, and that drives him to keep volunteering.

"if I can make only a little difference on that day, for that person, it was worth the effort," he said.

This year, municipalities and the Red Cross have been better prepared than they were two years ago to respond to flooding emergencies, but there is always a need for more volunteers, he said.

Volunteering for the Red Cross is a great way for retired people to "stay active," he said, and he encourages others to take up the cause.

Watch how residents in Sainte-Marthe are coping with the flood:

Residents grapple with loss after Sainte-Marthe flooding

6 years ago

Duration 0:50

A week after the dike burst in Sainte-Marthe-sur-le-Lac, residents are struggling to come to terms with the damage.