Fisher River Flood Watch Update #2

Fisher River Cree Nation Chief & Council issued a state of emergency on April 29, 2022, regarding the high risk of flooding of the Fisher River due to the recent weather events.

CURRENT SITUATION:

A Command Centre has been established at the Community Centre and evacuation procedures have begun for high-risk community members for medical reasons such as dialysis patients, Jordan’s Principal clients, in-home community care clients and pre/post-natal clients. They will be taken to nearby Gimli and Winnipeg. Fisher River Health Services are contacting clients that will be evacuated. Mikisiw Security and emergency personnel will be monitoring the homes of those evacuated.

The recommendation was made by the Provincial Emergency Management and Indigenous Services Canada for the Personal Care Home residents not to be evacuate based on several factors:

1. The Personal Care Home is a healthcare facility and have the equipment on hand in the event of an emergency.
2. There are no residents that are on dialysis or have acute conditions.
3. The Genset Generator is available in the event of a power outage.
4. The lack of infection control and staff issues are much greater if the residents are taken to hotels
5. Provincial agency nurses are coming into the community to assist.
6. The inventory of medicines are full  and can last for more than 2 weeks.
7. And the residents themselves have made it clear they did not want to leave

Fisher River Emergency Management have secured two units of paramedics and ambulance that will be placed in the community beginning today in case of a health emergency, with Stars Air Ambulance on standby.

Emergency Crews continue to tiger dam homes as waters continue to rise in high risk flooding areas and have been & will continue to be in hourly contact with officials with Peguis First Nation and Manitoba Highways. Traveling out of the community is not recommended at this time as there is overland flooding on the provincial highways on 224 and 325. A further update regarding highways later today.

Homes with wells that are impacted by flood waters are encouraged to boil their water before use.

Charles Sinclair School & Fisher River High School will be closed for the week – further information from the Board of Education will be posted once available.

While the risk of highway closures is high, our community members are safest at home as medical personnel & ambulance are situated in the community. We will continue to update as needed.

EMERGENCY CONTACT NUMBERS:

Fisher River Fire Department (Tiger Damns and flooding situations) – 431.256.0077

Housing Department On-Call (Sump pump issues, water, and other housing issues) – 431.256.0554

Fisher River Safety Officer – 204.308.0553

Ambulance – 204.645.2000

Administration On-Call – 431.256.0041