A plumber from Pimicikamak Cree Nation anticipates that repairing burst pipes and addressing other plumbing issues resulting from water freezing during a prolonged power outage in severe cold could take around a month. The power disruption occurred in the northern Manitoba First Nation, situated approximately 530 kilometers north of Winnipeg, following the snapping of a power line crossing the Nelson River on Sunday.
Manitoba Hydro initiated power restoration efforts in stages starting Thursday, with full power recovery achieved by 1:30 p.m. on Friday. However, since the restoration process commenced, residents have reported incidents of burst pipes, leaks, and sewage backups, as conveyed by Coun. Shirley Robinson to CBC News Network on Thursday evening.
Randy Spence, among the ten plumbers operating in the community, estimates that roughly 70% of homes have encountered plumbing damages. He has encountered numerous instances of flooded crawl spaces and water accumulation in primary living areas of homes, sometimes reaching over an inch in height during recent service calls.
Describing the situation as “hectic,” Spence received over 50 service requests within two hours on Friday morning. He speculates that without additional plumbers from outside the Cross Lake vicinity, it could take between three weeks to a month to address all issues.
Spence noted that pipes began freezing and subsequently bursting upon the power outage late Sunday night, with the subsequent thawing process post-power restoration leading to continuous leaks and damages within residences. Plumbers are primarily focused on shutting off main valves to prevent further harm due to the overwhelming workload.
While Manitoba Hydro disclaims responsibility for outage-induced damages, the utility is offering support by redirecting contractors to identify leaks. Indigenous Services Canada disclosed that its emergency management assistance program will extend financial aid to rectify damaged infrastructure in Pimicikamak.
Chief David Monias of Pimicikamak Cree Nation highlighted the “massive infrastructure breakdown” in a recent Facebook post, showcasing videos of water-spewing pipes and pooling water inside a community member’s residence. Monias emphasized the critical need for professional assessments and repairs to ensure the restoration of essential services.
Evacuees, totaling about 1,400 individuals, vacated the community following a state of emergency declaration on Monday. Although power has been reinstated, the timeline for evacuees’ return remains uncertain, pending thorough damage assessments to avert potential hazards and ensure habitable conditions.
George Paupanekis, temporarily residing in a Winnipeg hotel, described enduring freezing temperatures during the outage and expressed concerns about the prolonged restoration of plumbing services in the community. The frequent displacements due to various emergencies in 2025 have taken a toll on community members, eliciting feelings of isolation and distress.
Chief Monias stressed the psychological impact of recurrent evacuations, acknowledging the hardships faced by residents and the ongoing support efforts to cater to essential needs within the community.