State of local emergency declared in Whiteshell Provincial Park, Betula Lake area to be evacuated
The province has declared a state of local emergency within the Whiteshell Provincial Park, and says residents in the Betula Lake area should be prepared to evacuate.
On Friday evening, the province declared the local state of emergency within the park, saying rapidly rising water levels have created dangerous conditions and pose a significant risk to the public's safety.
"Manitobans should not travel into the Whiteshell Provincial Park area. Many highways are flooded, making travel conditions treacherous," the province said.
It has ordered the evacuation of Whiteshell Provincial Park’s Betula Lake area, including all cottage subdivisions, commercial area, group use, day use, recreational and picnic areas, playgrounds, trails and beaches.
The province warned residents in areas near Betula Lake should be prepared to evacuate due to rapidly rising water levels.
On May 20, 2022, Manitoba Parks ordered the evacuation of Whiteshell Provincial Park’s Betula Lake area due to flooding in the area. (Image Source: Province of Manitoba)
"This is something like we have almost never seen before," Ian Baragar, president of the Whiteshell Cottagers’ Association, told CTV News Friday night. "We do have an emergency that is happening, the waters are continuing to rise."
While Baragar didn't have a total number of cottages in the Betula Lake area, he said there are roughly 4,000 cottages throughout the Whiteshell area. He said it is not just rainwater that is putting them at risk – water from the whole Lake of the Woods in Northwestern Ontario is flowing into the province and narrows in the Whiteshell area.
"There is not a lot we can do, a lot of that's rainwater. The dams have limited amount of control, they've done all they can, and that water is going to rise," he said.
In a post on Facebook, the Whiteshell Cottagers’ Association said the situation is getting desperate in Barrier Bay where many structures are compromised, or close to it.
The Whiteshell Cottagers’ Association said the situation is getting desperate in Barrier Bay where many structures are compromised, or close to it. (Source: Whitshell Cottagers Association/Facebook)
"It's affecting infrastructure. It's affecting cottages and people have been sandbagging. We've done all we can with sandbagging, but now we're into road closures as well."
Baragar said with the rising water, people in Nutimik Lake that are at risk of being cut off due to road closures.
"That's a dangerous situation to be in," he said, saying the Lake is 10 feet higher than it was last year.
Whiteshell Cottagers Association previously told CTV News provincial staff had been sandbagging properties at risk of flood waters.
The province said anyone looking to visit the park should check with Manitoba 511 for road closures before heading into the park.
CTVNews.ca Top Stories
Minister 'outraged' after AFN national chief's headdress taken from Air Canada cabin
The federal minister of Crown-Indigenous relations is calling on Air Canada to 'make things right' with the national chief of the Assembly of First Nations, who said her headdress was removed from an airplane cabin during a flight this week.
BREAKING Orca calf that was trapped in B.C. lagoon for weeks swims free
An orca whale calf that has been stranded in a B.C. lagoon for weeks after her pregnant mother died swam out on her own early Friday morning.
Sophie Gregoire Trudeau on navigating post-political life, co-parenting and freedom
Sophie Gregoire Trudeau says there is 'still so much love' between her and Prime Minister Justin Trudeau, as they navigate their post-separation relationship co-parenting their three children.
'Violation': CSIS had officer investigated after she reported a superior raped her
A CSIS officer's allegations that she was raped repeatedly by a superior in agency vehicles set off a harassment inquiry, but also triggered an investigation into her that concluded the alleged attacks were a “misuse” of agency vehicles by the woman.
'Too young to have breast cancer': Rates among young Canadian women rising
Breast cancer rates are rising in Canada among women in their 20s, 30s and 40s, according to research by the University of Ottawa (uOttawa).
'I was scared': Ontario man's car repossessed after missing two repair loan payments
An Ontario man who took out a loan to pay for auto repairs said his car was repossessed after he missed two payments.
Canada recognizes housing as a human right. Few provinces have followed suit
As more Canadians find themselves struggling to afford or find housing, the country's smallest province is the only one that can point to legislation recognizing housing as a human right.
Charlie Woods, son of Tiger, shoots 81 in U.S. Open qualifier
Charlie Woods failed to advance in a U.S. Open local qualifying event Thursday, shooting a 9-over 81 at Legacy Golf & Tennis Club.
Taylor Swift dons Montreal designer's dress in 'Fortnight' video
A pair of Montreal designers' work has now been viewed over 41 million times. Taylor Swift dons a Victorian throwback black gown in her latest music video, 'Fortnight', designed by UNTTLD due Simon Belanger and Jose Manuel Saint-Jacques.