The Manitoba government advises a voluntary evacuation of homes and cottages that have been isolated by road washouts is still in effect. All provincial campgrounds are open this weekend but some detours are in effect. A list of road closures and cautionary travel areas includes:
- PTH 44, the Trans-Canada Highway to the Caddy Lake Resort access road north of PR 312 is open to traffic, with reduced speed at several locations;
- PTH 44 for 25 kilometres from PR 307 (Rennie) south to the Caddy Lake Resort access road remains closed;
- PR 307 near Rennie remains closed, access to the Seven Sisters area via PTH 11;
- access to the north Whiteshell, including Brereton, White Lake and Big Whiteshell campgrounds, is only through the Seven Sisters park entrance off PTH 11;
- access to the south Whiteshell, including Caddy Lake, Falcon or West Hawk Lake campgrounds, is available through the park entrance gates off the Trans-Canada Highway;
- Falcon Lake South Shore Road is open with reduced speed, and water on the road;
- PR 312 is still closed from PTH 44 to the Ontario border;
- PR 301 is re-opened;
- Caddy Lake tunnels are closed; and
- all routes will continue to be monitored this week and through the weekend in case of additional minor failures.
Water levels are well above normal throughout the south Whiteshell and boaters should use extreme caution and watch for floating debris. Boat traffic on Caddy Lake is restricted to essential boat traffic only. Recreational boat traffic is being kept more than 100 m away from shore on Star, West Hawk and Falcon lakes to reduce the potential for wave damage. The Faloma and Toniata boat launches are closed due to high water.
Two sandbag-making machines have been set up in the area, one at the Caddy Lake campground boat launch and the second at the West Hawk Lake works yard. Sandbags are available for pickup at those two locations now and by early evening tomorrow, sandbags will also be available at the winter storage area just off Falcon Boulevard near the Falcon Lake RCMP detachment.
The Mantario, McGillivray Falls, Bear Lake Hiking, Hunt Lake Hiking, Whiteshell River Hiking and Falcon Creek trails and the Caddy Lake tunnels are closed. Travel is not advised on the south Whiteshell Trans Canada Trail until it has been fully assessed.
Anyone who has experienced damage is encouraged to contact their insurance providers to determine their coverage.
Officials are waiting for the water to recede in many areas before repairs can begin. It is too early to provide cost estimates until the full extent of the damage is revealed by receding water.
South Whiteshell residents and cottage owners seeking updated local information or anyone wanting to volunteer their assistance to help property owners sandbag can call the Falcon District Sustainable Development office at 204-349-2201.
