Whiteshell, Man. residents voice frustrations over lifted evacuation order – Winnipeg

Two residents of Lake Eleanor in northern Whiteshell Provincial Park are expressing frustration after the evacuation order was lifted Friday.

Gordon and Carol White returned to Lake Eleanor on Sunday after spending two weeks in Winnipeg under an evacuation order. They said the province would cover the cost of their accommodation in the city, but that ended when the evacuation order was lifted.

Gordon White told Global News: “The problem for us is that as permanent residents, we have nowhere else to go,” Mr. Gordon White told Global News, adding that water was still on their doorstep. , overflowing septic tanks and fields, meaning they have no running water or water pipes. .

“We have no running water and no way to dispose of it,” says Gordon.

He said the province has refused to continue funding their accommodation in the city.

“They refused. They say, “You’re on your own,” he said.

“I hope the province considers reviewing their emergency measures plan and perhaps considers looking at residents like us who are unable to go back and use the property as intended.”

In an emailed statement to Global News, a provincial spokesperson said permanent residents can apply for Disaster Financial Assistance to cover evacuation costs.

“When a mandatory evacuation is over but a person’s primary residence is uninhabitable due to flood damage, that person can apply for Disaster Financial Assistance (DFA). If it is found that they are eligible for DFA, the applicant will be assisted with evacuation costs at 100% (the deduction is waived for evacuation costs only),” the statement read.

“The DFA program requires applicants to prepay for accommodation and submit an invoice and proof of payment to the DFA program in order to receive their assistance.”

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