![\"Text](\"https:\/\/www.cbc.ca\/a\/assets\/texttospeech.svg\")
<\/p>\n<\/p>\n
Listen to this article<\/p>\n
Estimated 2 minutes<\/p>\n
The audio version of this article is generated by AI-based technology. Mispronunciations can occur. We are working with our partners to continually review and improve the results.<\/p>\n
Ottawa Public Health (OPH) is offering wellness resources for residents affected by last week’s Canada Day storm, including co-ordinating door-to-door check-ins. <\/p>\n
The heavy rainfall on July 1 led to flooding in several neighbourhoods and resulted in damage to thousands of homes, including the one owned by Shannon Kalil. <\/p>\n
The storm caused nearly three feet of dirty water to flood her basement, leaving her in shock. <\/p>\n
\u201cI stood there and stared at it because I was in disbelief that there was that amount of water in there,” she said. <\/p>\n
The flooding caused orange and white fluffy mould to grow, forcing Kalil out of her home.<\/p>\n
Now she’s riddled with stress as she navigates repairs and insurance claims without knowing when she can return, she said. <\/p>\n
‘A strong emotional toll’<\/p>\n
Dr. Trevor Arnason, OPH\u2019s medical officer of health, says mental health is just as important as physical health as communities rebuild after the storm.\u00a0<\/p>\n
That’s why OPH is working with city partners to co-ordinate wellness visits to check in on flood victims.\u00a0<\/p>\n
As of Thursday afternoon, Ottawa firefighters and St. John Ambulance had conducted over 1,000 door-to-door wellness visits in the neighborhoods that were most impacted.<\/p>\n
\u201cCleaning up after a flood can be a very challenging time,\u201d Arnason said. \u201cPeople have to throw out many items of value and items that have some personal significance.\u201d\u00a0<\/p>\n