Post by stvfishy on Nov 28, 2007 7:32:52 GMT -8
www.canadaeast.com/news/article/139797
Supplies running out in remote Manitoba community because of frozen ferry
THE CANADIAN PRESS
Published Tuesday November 27th, 2007
NORWAY HOUSE, Man. - Dozens of volunteers have been spending hours outside in frigid weather on a remote northern Manitoba reserve where a state of emergency was declared Tuesday because of a ferry stuck in ice.
The vessel that normally carries food and fuel to the Norway House Cree Nation became lodged in the Nelson River on Saturday.
Fearing their supplies could run out, volunteer crews from the community of 6,000 have been working to free the ferry with cables and heavy machinery, said band councillor Eliza Clarke.
"It's hard to do. It's really cold out here," she said.
The temperature dipped to -28C Tuesday in Norway House, where the average low for this time of year is -22C.
The gasoline supply has been pretty well depleted, and as early as Wednesday, the council could be forced to ship items like bread, eggs and milk into the community by plane, said band councillor Michael Muswagon.
"The only thing we're saving the gas for now is emergency vehicles," he said.
The ferry usually operates until around Christmas, and occasionally into January. At that point, the ice is solid enough for heavy trucks to travel on winter roads.
Charles McDougall, a provincial government spokesman said Tuesday an icebreaking machine was on its way to the community, about 460 kilometres north of Winnipeg.
"The freeze happened earlier than expected," McDougall said.
He noted the province's Emergency Measures Organization is working with Indian and Northern Affairs Canada to make sure the community has supplies.
Supplies running out in remote Manitoba community because of frozen ferry
THE CANADIAN PRESS
Published Tuesday November 27th, 2007
NORWAY HOUSE, Man. - Dozens of volunteers have been spending hours outside in frigid weather on a remote northern Manitoba reserve where a state of emergency was declared Tuesday because of a ferry stuck in ice.
The vessel that normally carries food and fuel to the Norway House Cree Nation became lodged in the Nelson River on Saturday.
Fearing their supplies could run out, volunteer crews from the community of 6,000 have been working to free the ferry with cables and heavy machinery, said band councillor Eliza Clarke.
"It's hard to do. It's really cold out here," she said.
The temperature dipped to -28C Tuesday in Norway House, where the average low for this time of year is -22C.
The gasoline supply has been pretty well depleted, and as early as Wednesday, the council could be forced to ship items like bread, eggs and milk into the community by plane, said band councillor Michael Muswagon.
"The only thing we're saving the gas for now is emergency vehicles," he said.
The ferry usually operates until around Christmas, and occasionally into January. At that point, the ice is solid enough for heavy trucks to travel on winter roads.
Charles McDougall, a provincial government spokesman said Tuesday an icebreaking machine was on its way to the community, about 460 kilometres north of Winnipeg.
"The freeze happened earlier than expected," McDougall said.
He noted the province's Emergency Measures Organization is working with Indian and Northern Affairs Canada to make sure the community has supplies.
