A violent summer storm that rolled through the region Wednesday night has left behind major damages in the Sioux Lookout area.
Mayor Doug Lawrance has declared a State of Emergency which will allow the Municipality to access provincial funding to help with recovery, if needed.
The Municipality confirms there’s major damage to the roof of a local hotel and to Municipal facilities.
“We are still assessing damage to Municipal facilities,” explained Municipal Clerk, Brian MacKinnon. “We are aware of damage to the Sioux Lookout Public Library roof, the Municipal Office roof, and the Recreation Centre/Memorial Arena roof. Several trees are down in our Municipal cemeteries as well.”
Credit: Ahsley Rousseau
About 90 patients of the Sioux Lookout First Nations Health Authority are now displaced from the Sunset Inn and Suites due to the damage to the hotel.
The Municipality has offered assistance to SLFNHA in securing accommodations for these patients.
About a thousand households are still without power and Hydro Crews continue to work non-stop, including assistance from a Hydro One helicopter.
Rural customers are unlikely to have power restored before tomorrow, at the earliest.
Three line crews from SynergyNorth, along with various equipment and a forestry crew, are being brought in to assist with the undertaking.
Meanwhile, the Municipality has been in contact with their insurance company to advise them of possible claims related to the storm.
No major damage has been reported at the airport and service has not been interrupted, although there have been reports of damage to aircraft by some airport tenants.
Work continues to clean up smaller roads and no wash outs or issues with water or sewer services have been reported.
The Municipality thanks Sioux Lookout Hydro, Public Works crews, the Sioux Lookout Fire Department and Sioux Lookout OPP for their tireless efforts throughout the night and morning, clearing fallen trees and debris to ensure that roads were open for travel and emergency vehicles.
