The snowbanks in Clyde River are higher than theySA国际影视传媒檝e been in years and the blizzards just keep coming SA国际影视传媒� with another forecast as the weekend approached.
Compounding matters, the hamletSA国际影视传媒檚 loaders and bulldozer are out of commission due to broken parts or because of the use of substitute jet A fuel. The community recently ran out of diesel.
The list of residents calling for water deliveries and sewage pump-outs is long SA国际影视传媒� very long SA国际影视传媒� as water and sewage truck drivers are having great difficulty reaching snowbound homes occupied by close to 1,000 people.
SA国际影视传媒淲eSA国际影视传媒檙e in quite a predicament right now SA国际影视传媒� we were talking about declaring an emergency and itSA国际影视传媒檚 not off the books yet,SA国际影视传媒� Clyde River chief administrative officer Jerry Natanine said of the desperate state of affairs. SA国际影视传媒淚f this blizzard continues and we cannot fix any of these equipment, I donSA国际影视传媒檛 know what weSA国际影视传媒檙e going to do. WeSA国际影视传媒檒l have to declare it. ThatSA国际影视传媒檚 an option that weSA国际影视传媒檙e still looking at. WeSA国际影视传媒檙e not ashamed to do it SA国际影视传媒� no community should be shameful to declare an emergency. It would be an emergency when we cannot service the community.SA国际影视传媒�
After close to 10 days of having limited or no heavy equipment and four blizzards, calling for military support is SA国际影视传媒渁bsolutelySA国际影视传媒� a possibility, the mayor acknowledged.
In the meantime, the hamlet has asked the Government of Nunavut to airlift a supply of diesel fuel into the community, said Natanine.
The municipality flew in a heavy equipment mechanic from Iqaluit last week. He was able to get the bulldozer running but it has since become immobilized again because the jet A fuel is causing problems, said Natanine.
Residents have been demonstrating kindness and teamwork by combining efforts to clear out neighbouring homes and some municipal service roads with shovels.
SA国际影视传媒淚tSA国际影视传媒檚 just been really wonderful how much people help each other,SA国际影视传媒� he said, but he noted that the volume of the snowfall, the drifts from strong winds and the hard-packed nature of the snow have made it extremely challenging.
He also credited municipal staff for their efforts, lugging water and sewage vacuum hoses over unsteady terrain.
SA国际影视传媒淚SA国际影视传媒檓 very proud of all the workers,SA国际影视传媒� he said, adding that some of them work throughout the night. SA国际影视传媒淚tSA国际影视传媒檚 a big team effort from community members, to mechanics and the drivers and helpers.SA国际影视传媒�
Another factor that has been hindering the Qikiqtani hamlet is global supply chain issues, which means lengthy delays in the shipping of replacement parts for heavy equipment. One loader part that the municipal government ordered three months ago still hasnSA国际影视传媒檛 arrived, Natanine pointed out.
SA国际影视传媒淚tSA国际影视传媒檚 quite unbelievable how much effect it has on our livelihoods,SA国际影视传媒� he said.
Whether Clyde River purchases new heavy equipment to supplement its existing fleet hasnSA国际影视传媒檛 yet been decided. The communitySA国际影视传媒檚 leadership is in the process of planning its fall sealift orders, according to Natanine.
Correction: A previous version of this story contained an error. Jerry Natanine is Clyde RiverSA国际影视传媒檚 chief administrative officer. Nunavut News regrets the mistake and any confusion or embarrassment it may have caused.
