Tri Communities collaborate amid widespread power loss

SaskPower said it was deploying all available resources, including its own equipment and personnel as well as contract crews and equipment, and will begin round-the-clock work to repair the damaged lines as soon as the fire commissioner grants permission to enter the area.

The estimated restore time for the majority of affected customers is one to three days.

The agency said it is likely more transmission structures will be damaged, as the fire remains uncontained.

The Tri Communities are collaborating to ensure essentials like food, fuel and generated power is available to those most in need.

Chief Tammy Cook-Searson of the Lac La Ronge Indian Band says most communities have drinkable water and sewer services because they have emergency generator backup but they’re calling on the public to ease off on usage to prevent backups.

However, some remote communities are without generators and cannot have potable water pumped, so plans are being made to transport water there if necessary.

She said at a time like this it is important to keep an eye on your neighbours like Elders and anyone who may need extra help.

“We’re going to be delivering meals to the J.R. hall, and we plan to cook for Elders,” she said.

“We [also need] to make sure we have back-up power to the clinics, for example, where we have the Moderna vaccines stored…so we don’t lose any of the vaccine,” she said.

A very long line-up for gas in La Ronge amid the power outage. The mayor said there was no need to panic buy. (Derek Cornet/larongeNOW)

There have been line-ups at at least one gas station today, and there were crowds waiting in line to buy essentials at the lone convenience store that opened first thing this morning.

La Ronge Mayor Colin Ratushniak couldn’t say if people were flocking to the gas station to fill up their vehicles’ tanks or for generators, but said there was no need for people to rush out and buy goods. He hopes people will remain calm.

“We have not declared a State of Emergency at this moment,” he said early afternoon. “We don’t foresee the need for panic buying and we hope people aren’t hoarding any sort of services that might be necessary for our vulnerable or anyone who requires essential services like medical trips.”

He said he remained hopeful power would be restored by Wednesday.

The Tri Communities leadership at the numbers listed on the following press release:

Tri Community EOC

Ratushniak said the community could also contact the leadership through their personal Facebook contacts:

Mayor Colin Ratushniak ; Chief Tammy Cook-Searson; Mayor Julie Baschuk.

Medical Centre

The Saskatchewan Health Authority (SHA) issued an advisory Tuesday afternoon regarding the La Ronge Health Centre. Due to the disruption of some services in the Tri-Community, residents of the area are reminded that while the La Ronge Health Centre clinic is closed due to the situation, the La Ronge Health Centre Emergency Department remains open. In the event that there is a loss of phone service we ask that residents who are trying to access 9-1-1 or in need of emergency services report to the Emergency Department for assessment.

RCMP call in service disrupted by SaskTek outage

Meanwhile SaskTel’s internet, wireless and landline services outages – including in the Missinipe area – has prompted RCMP to alert the public to some temporary changes.

Residents of Missinipe in need of police services during this outage will have to visit their closest RCMP detachment.

Saskatchewan RCMP has planned for personnel to be available and confirmed COVID-19 measures are in place to receive visitors safely.

Residents of Missinipe are asked to go to the La Ronge RCMP Detachment, located at 1603 Bay Avenue, La Ronge, SK.

With files from Derek Cornet

–

glenn.hicks@pattisonmedia.com

On Twitter: @larongeNOW

by Glenn Hicks

Tri Communities collaborate amid widespread power loss

What's Trending