Power restoration for a northern Manitoba community has been delayed due to its difficult location and terrain.
Pimicikamak Cree Nation says the outage in Cross Lake began Sunday night after a power line crossing the Nelson River went down.
Manitoba Hydro staff began arriving in the area Monday night and Tuesday morning. However, after conducting an aerial survey, it was determined that the repair will take longer, with power now expected to be restored by January 1 at 6 p.m.
“We appreciate the difficulty this outage is causing the community,” said Jeff Betker, Manitoba Hydro Vice President Indigenous and External Relations, Environment and Communications. “Our employees are making every effort to safely restore power as quickly as possible.”
Heavy equipment contracted from Cross Lake completed clearing a road Tuesday morning, allowing Manitoba Hydro crews to begin work.
David Monias, Chief of Pimicikamak Cree Nation, says they have now reached a critical stage, as water tanks are beginning to freeze.
“Sewage holding tanks are also freezing, creating an immediate public health and sanitation emergency,” said Chief Monias in a post on social media.
He says they have sent as many residents as possible to Thompson while they wait for power to be restored. They are also now looking to send some of the elders, families with infants and children, and those with medical needs to Winnipeg.
“We are working with the Red Cross. We have about 67 rooms booked off in Winnipeg,” said Chief Monias. “So we’re trying to get people out. We’re going to send our two buses, along with two buses that are being sent from Thompson.”
Monias says most people would like to stay put and are waiting for generators to arrive.
“We have around 541 generators that are expected to come in, and we’ll have Andrew Ross and some staff help distribute them.”
Everyone who receives one will be provided with gas, a portable heater and the necessary extension cords.
Manitoba Hydro says the repair work must be done during daylight hours and requires weather conditions safe enough for helicopter operations.
Manitoba Hydro representatives are in close contact with Pimicikimak Okimawin leadership to ensure the community has the latest information available.
