Constant blizzards prompt state of emergency in Clyde River, Nunavut

Key takeaways: 

• Hamlet SAO is concerned about individuals stuck inside residences with a single door.
• The Hamlet of Clyde River has announced a state of emergency after a string of blizzards have hindered the delivery of municipal services. 

Blizzards continue to pound Nunavut: 

On Friday, a string of blizzards persisted in striking the hamlet of Clyde River, Nunavut, hindering municipal services and pressing the hamlet to announce a state of emergency.

The neighborhood has been dealing with vast quantities of snow since at least January when a week-long blizzard closed down streets and entrance to peoples’ residences. It’s a massive issue for a neighborhood that depends on trucked water and sewer services. 

According to a notice from Environment Canada, another blizzard Friday night will persist well into Saturday night. Winds are predicted to gust up to 60 kilometers an hour, and visibility will fall close to zero because of the windy snow. 

Typically the hamlet counts on a bulldozer and two loaders to clear roads and remove snow, but in late January, the bulldozer and one of the loaders were out of assistance. The hamlet’s only snowplow is maintained to clear the runway at the airport. 

Also read: Nunavut chief public health officer quarantine after coronavirus exposure

Images sent to CBC News show snowdrifts going the rooftops of several buildings.

The snow restricts trucked water delivery, and people’s water pipes are freezing. Waste is also stacking up outside of residences. Jerry Natanine, the hamlet’s chief administrative officer, told the condition is tough on staff and citizens. 

“I feel for those requesting for water delivery and sewage service, and we cannot do anything regarding what we cannot handle,” he stated. “We cannot manage the climate, and it is challenging to request mother nature not to have a storm.”  Source – cbc.ca

Nataline told most residences in the hamlet only have one entry — and he’s anxious about being stuck indoors, without access to emergency services.