Evacuation orders are already in place in the northern parts of Whiteshell Provincial Park, as flooding has affected hundreds of properties.
Amy Vereb, the owner of Otter Falls Resort, has been working to protect her property from rising water levels. He has been making sandbags and placing a tiger dike that has failed to keep the flood waters at bay.
“It happened. It broke in the camp. It held water about three days ago, and then too much water started coming in,” Vereb said.
Vereb said this is the worst flood he has ever seen in the area and it is not over yet. The area expects another two feet of water in the next 10 days, he said.
“There are people here who are devastated. Their huts have disappeared and that’s all they’ve had,” Vereb said. “It’s not just a rural country for people in the summer and spring to come and enjoy. That’s the life of the people here.”
IN THE PHOTOS: “Overwhelming” flooding in Whiteshell Provincial Park
Manitoba Prime Minister Heather Stefanson, along with government officials, took an aerial tour of Whiteshell Provincial Park on Tuesday as the area is experiencing significant flooding.
Stefanson said they flew over Caddy Lake, West Hawk Lake and Falcon Lake and said several areas had been completely washed away, adding that several homes had been affected.
“There’s so much water out there, it’s overwhelming,” Stefanson said. “Our thoughts go with those who have been negatively affected.”
Stefanson said the area is still seeing rising water levels.
“We have water coming from the south of us, now we have water coming from the east of us. So we’re surrounded by it,” Stefanson said. “It’s nothing new for Manitobans. I think we’ve dealt with flooding in the past, but what’s different is that it comes from all angles.”
With the state of local emergency declared in the Betula Lake area late last week, the province has ordered evacuation in the northern part of the park, including Lakes Sylvia, Eleanor, Nutimik and Betula, along with Otter Falls, Barrier Bay.
A provincial spokesman said that while it does not track the exact number of people affected by evacuation orders, there are about 600 cottages and 500 campsites affected.
Manitoba Minister of Transportation and Infrastructure Doyle Piwniuk said provincial assessments need to be made before determining what support will be offered to those affected by the flood.
“We are in response mode right now. We want to make sure everyone is safe, everyone is protecting their property as much as possible,” Piwniuk said.
NDP leader Wab Kinew was also part of the move and said what he saw was amazing.
“Country houses, houses, businesses and accommodation are affected by both the flood waters and the evacuation orders. Our heart is with everyone affected. There is a lot of water right now,” he said. dir Kinew.
High water levels are ravaging Highway 307, causing hundreds of residents to be evacuated from northeastern Winnipeg on Tuesday, May 24, 2022. THE CANADIAN PRESS / John Woods
Kinew also acknowledged the work being done by provincial workers, along with emergency crews, to help the area cope with the floods, and said increasing in difficult times is what makes Manitobans.
Vereb said his complex is now closed due to evacuation orders.
“There is devastation here. We need help,” he said. “We’re locked up now, but when it’s all over, there’s going to be a big mess to clean up and there’s no Whiteshell to come this summer if we don’t clean up the mess after that. It’s all done.”
Her two children will stay with the family, while she and her husband will be left behind in an effort to save their property.
-with Taylor Brock’s CTV files