The leader of Pimicikamak Cree Nation has stated that numerous residences have been significantly impacted following an extended power outage that resulted in damage to a water treatment facility and plumbing systems, leading to the evacuation of approximately 4,000 individuals from the northern Manitoba First Nation.
Residents in Pimicikamak, situated around 530 kilometers north of Winnipeg, started experiencing burst pipes, leaks, and sewer backups once power was restored on Thursday. Manitoba Hydro confirmed that all power had been fully restored by Friday afternoon.
The power failure affecting the First Nation, with an on-reserve population of roughly 7,000, occurred last Sunday night when a power line crossing the Nelson River broke, causing pipes to freeze in the extreme cold where temperatures plummeted below -20 degrees Celsius.
Chief David Monias disclosed during a press briefing on Saturday that about 200 homes had suffered damage due to leaking pipes, rendering them uninhabitable. He expressed concerns that more homes might have been impacted as pipes rapidly thawed, emphasizing the need for assistance to inspect residences and community infrastructure for potential cracks and leaks.
Monias emphasized, “Just because you don’t see a visible leak doesn’t mean that there’s no damage. There could be cracks in there that are waiting to burst the pipes.”
The estimated cost of repairs is over $44 million, according to Monias, who is actively formulating a recovery strategy for the community. To address the urgent situation, he has appealed for assistance from licensed plumbers in Manitoba, Saskatchewan, and Alberta, in addition to previously seeking aid from the Canadian Armed Forces.
Pimicikamak band Coun. Shirley Robinson highlighted the substantial damage incurred by the Nation due to the outage, particularly at the water treatment plant where significant leaks have been observed. Urgent intervention is necessary to mend the deteriorating infrastructure, she remarked.
Some residents are being evacuated to safeguard their well-being, with approximately 140 individuals expected to be relocated on Saturday. Monias confirmed that around 4,000 people have already been evacuated from the First Nation.
As part of the evacuees, Jack Ross and his family were among those relocated to Winnipeg, citing his mother’s struggle to breathe due to a frozen inhaler during the extreme cold. Ross described the conditions inside their home as “very frosty,” with concerns about potential lengthy hotel stays due to ongoing plumbing challenges.
MaryJane Scott, another evacuee, expressed worries about the extended stay in Winnipeg, anticipating delays in returning home due to the necessary pipe repairs.