Protecting your home from flooding this spring may look different now that there is a global pandemic.
La Broquerie Emergency Coordinator Louis Tetrault says flood protection measures often require groups of strangers helping one another and with the threat of COVID-19 still looming, the Manitoba Government has been adamant that cannot happen.
"When sandbagging, you usually make a chain from the sandbag pile to the dam. People stand shoulder to shoulder, passing their bags to the next person," he explains. "Now, the new measures would require people to carry the sandbags from the pile to the dam in a fairly large circular motion with everyone six feet apart.”
While Tetrault remains unconcerned about the flooding in his RM, he says he is working constantly to keep his local Public Works crews and emergency personnel up to date on current provincial requirements. He notes all other municipalities in danger of flooding will have to do the same.
Read more: La Broquerie Flood Season Over Before It Begins
As aggravating as it may be to veer from routine, Tetrault feels the province has been doing a good job at staying in contact with those who may be affected by floodwaters.
“EMO (Emergency Measures Organization) has been conducting weekly teleconference calls with emergency measures personnel from municipalities just to keep us abreast of the situation," he notes. "We feel like there is a good communication stream in place and we have access to provincial people if need be.”
Still, Tetrault is hoping the seasonal flood will be so mild that they will not have to call for help or try out these new procedures in the first place.
A more in-depth look at what the province is advising as it pertains to high water response activity is available on their website.
Fri, May 17, 10:30 AM
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