WINNIPEG – With northwest winds stirring up Lake Winnipeg near Patricia Beach, residents are on edge.
They have experienced flooding twice since July 1st, and it’s not over yet.
“There’s a good chance that this community will be under huge pressures coming up in the next few months,” said Mayor Steve Strang, RM of St. Clements.
The RM of St. Clements declared a local state of emergency Friday and has now called for an $800,000 dike to be built starting Monday morning.
“Being reactive is far more costly than being proactive so in the long run this dike will protect lives, it will protect property,” said Strang.
Equipment will continue to arrive Sunday night in preparation of protecting the 20 homes and 41 cottages in the community.
“We will build the road up, we will build the dike and we will protect this community,” said Strang.
Protection homeowners need after being hit by two floods within three weeks.
“We’re just trying to move forward, not worry so much that it’s going to flood again but still trying to enjoy life the best we can and take it day by day and hopefully it improves with the dike,” said Patricia Beach homeowner, Cynthia Dumas.
“This is going to flood again so do we stand by and do absolutely nothing, that’s not an option for us,” said Strang.
The RM of St. Clements expects the dike will be completed in three weeks.
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