Power restoration to continue Friday following Pimicikamak Cree Nation outage

Pimicikamak Cree Nation is entering its fourth night without power, leading to Chief David Monias criticizing the current response.

Manitoba Hydro says crews have completed repairs to the downed power line for Pimicikamak Cree Nation on Thursday, entering the fourth day since the power outage led to a state of emergency.

In a media release, the Crown corporation says it will gradually re-energize customers in the community.

“This must be done in stages to avoid overloading the system and potentially damaging equipment,” the release said.

In a Facebook post on Thursday evening, Chief David Monias of Pimicikamak Cree Nation said Hydro has decided to wait until Friday morning before bringing power back to certain areas. Areas that remain without power include the health centre, arena, Brady Keeper Drive, Mission Point, Trailer Courts, Albert’s Lake and more.

“The maximum load for the Jenpeg transmission line is 170. At this time, the system is already carrying a load of 155 with the areas that currently have power,” Monias explained.

“Because furnaces and overall electricity demand are very high, Hydro technicians cannot safely add more load tonight. Doing so could trip the entire system again, resulting in another full outage.”

Monias added that power restoration will resume Friday once the loads drop.

The downed power line was 300 metres long and ran between two islands in the Nelson River, according to the release. About 20 employees have been working in the community and will continue to work during the gradual power restoration, the company added.

‘Not out of the woods’: Evacuations continue, more support needed

In a social media post, Monias said the community is “not out of the woods yet.”

“Due to prolonged outages and extreme cold, there is significant concern about frozen and burst water pipes, damage to water pumps, tanks and underground mains, sewage tanks and pipes, water plants that must be assessed and restarted safely, water damage inside homes, including frozen flooding on floors.”

Additional support will be required, such as “more plumbers, engineers, possibly electricians, supplies and equipment to make repairs,” Monias said.

Monias added the evacuations are still ongoing for elders, babies and people who are sick or medically vulnerable.

“Flights and accommodations in Winnipeg and Thompson continue. Hotels and transportation are still required. Red Cross is addressing meal service issues at evacuation sites,” the post read.

People won’t be asked to return to their homes until “it is safe to do so, including having reliable heat, water and sanitation.”

Pimicikamak Cree Nation has been without power since Sunday afternoon.

- With files from CTV’s Charles Lefebvre and Kimberley Rio Wertman