Recovery efforts continue in the Red Lake area and community spirit remains high.
Mayor Fred Mota is proud of his community’s togetherness after the massive storm that hit the municipality on Friday.
The Heritage Centre was among the hardest hit, with its roof being ripped off.
Mota says the clean up at the site saw many volunteers including members of the Red Lake Miners hockey team.
“They came into the Heritage Centre, once it was deemed safe, and they were working with our community group to cover artifacts in plastic, to protect them the best that we good.”
Mota notes the building did sustain water damage in the walls and basement and some artifacts may have been damaged.
He says they are now in the early states of repairing the Centre.
A community emergency remains in place.
Mota says “There was municipal infrastructure damaged. A loss of hydro-electricity. Numerous trees were down, blocking roadways and driveways. And there was also damage done to commercial properties and residential properties.”
Mota says they are still removing trees but most roads are cleared thanks to the quick action of the Ministry of Natural Resources and Forestry and community groups.
He stresses everyone has rallied together since the storm.
“Neighbours were checking on neighbours. People were helping each other. It’s amazing to see, when a disaster like this hits, how a community comes together. And that’s what Red Lake stands for.”
(Picture Credit: Angele Krummenacher)
