The JRMCC has been set up to offer food services throughout the power outage. (Kevin Roberts/Facebook)

By larongeNOW Staff

waiting on power

Lac La Ronge Tri-communities declare local state of emergency

May 19, 2021 | 1:55 PM

Update: At 4:30 p.m., SaskPower reported that crews had made significant progress repairing the damaged transmission line that serves customers north of Prince Albert. A new estimated restoration time for impacted customers was set for 2 p.m. Thursday.

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With no definite time frame on when power will be restored, the Town of La Ronge, Northern Village of Air Ronge and all six communities of the Lac La Ronge Indian Band (LLRIB) have submitted emergency declarations to the province.

La Ronge Mayor Colin Ratushniak said all essential services are still available and residents are not in a dire situation but the declaration opens the communities to emergency funding and puts them on a priority list for resources if needed.

“We’ve been without power for 32 hours. In households we’re seeing temperatures dip to 10 degrees and the outside temp is below zero. We’ve already had freezing rain and snow develop so our biggest concern is keeping people warm,” Ratushniak said. “On top of that, without power it makes it challenging for people to cook adequate food..and again declaring that state of emergency opens up our resources to be able to support residents in the best way we possibly can.”

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SaskPower had previously identified at least 10 transmission structures that were damaged or burned from the active fires causing outages in Waskesiu, Meath Park, Paddockwood, La Ronge, Stanley Mission and all surrounding rural areas. In a Tweet Tuesday night, SaskPower said crews have restored power to some customers but continued danger from the wildfires is preventing them from doing additional work. The estimated time of repair for the impacted areas is still one to three days.

As a result, the LLRIB declared a local emergency focusing on Stanley Mission where there are multiple issues exacerbating the effects of the prolonged outage including severe water availability issues, sewers backing up and 90 households on isolation due to COVID-19.

LLRIB Chief Tammy Cook-Searson signed a local emergency declaration for Stanely Mission Tuesday. (Facebook/Members of Lac La Ronge Indian Band)

As residents prepare to be without power for the coming days, town officials are asking them not to store excess fuel around their homes which they say poses a risk to people and property. La Ronge Petroleum and Air Ronge Co-op are open and supplies are constantly being replenished. The Petro Canada card lock is expecting to be open to card lock customers Wednesday night pending generator testing.

A temporary shelter is being constructed at the Mel Hegland Arena. Ratushniak said details are still being discussed on how the shelter will operate since they need to ensure COVID-19 restrictions are maintained.

“Whether we make it an overnight sleeping shelter or just a central hub where people can warm up or pick up certain supplies they might need if they’re new moms for example or food in general,” Ratushniak said. “The best thing would be to try and keep people in their homes as best we can so we don’t have a community spike in transmission.”

Co-op Food Store had generators shipped to La Ronge and is expected to be open at a limited capacity. The Jonas Roberts Memorial Community Centre (JRMCC) is offering food services and bagged meals to elders and to anyone in need of food.

A news release from LLRIB said tap water is safe to drink, but residents are still encouraged to reduce consumption as much as psosible to avoid overworking the backup systems currently running lift stations.

RCMP have added resources on patrol, along with various volunteers doing community patrols throughout the day and night.

The La Ronge Health Centre is currently open for urgent and emergency medical services. Extra staff have been dispatched for additional support. The COVID-19 test site and lab is still operating.

“We just need them [residents] to remain calm and know this is an unprecedented situation, but there is no need to panic,” Ratushniak said. “Just buckle down for hopefully the next 48 hours.”

-With files from Derek Cornet

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teena.monteleone@pattisonmedia.com

On Twitter: @larongeNOW