The Canadian Red Cross is coming to the aid of people struggling to deal with record-breaking floods in eastern Ontario and western Quebec.
With the Ottawa River expected to peak Tuesday or Wednesday, hundreds of soldiers joined over 2,000 volunteers Sunday, getting sandbags ready to try to protect properties.
A state of emergency has been declared in the nation's capital and several other communities including Bracebridge, Huntsville, Lakes of Muskoka and Minden Hills.
The Lake of Two Mountains burst through a dike west of Montreal, forcing more than 6,000 residents to leave their homes.
Red Cross Disaster Management and Communications Volunteer David Fraser said weary residents need support.
"They have been protecting their properties now for probably getting close to a week, so we're now seeing residents and families where they're tired, they probably haven't been eating properly, and the emotional stress is starting to show," said Fraser. "In many communities where residents have been evacuated, we're providing lodging, food, transportation and a lot of emotional support right now."
Fraser said Red Cross teams are in place in all the affected communities.
He said flood relief donations can be made online at redcross.ca, by phone at 1-800-418-1111, or in person at local Red Cross offices.
