What happens in a community when they are on their fourth day without power and then they get over 30 cm of snow overnight?
Turns out they really show what 91裸聊视频渃ommunity91裸聊视频 means.
Zeballos has been without power on and off since Monday, and like the rest of the Island they have received more snow in one day than they have in years. However, according to Mayor Julie Colborne, that has not put a damper on people91裸聊视频檚 community spirit. If anything, it has made the sense of community in the tiny tone on northern Vancouver Island even stronger.
91裸聊视频淚sn91裸聊视频檛 it amazing how the community just pulls together and does stuff for their neighbours?91裸聊视频 she said. 91裸聊视频淲e91裸聊视频檝e got people donating fuel and people are getting things to their neighbours. I91裸聊视频檓 just astounded by the kindness of the strangers and neighbours alike.91裸聊视频
91裸聊视频淥ur hearts are with Tahsis, they91裸聊视频檙e in the exact same position as us, and our hearts go out to them,91裸聊视频 she said.
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Zeballos and neighbouring community Tahsis are fairly remote on Vancouver Island91裸聊视频檚 west coast. In the best of times, food security is an issue for villagers, whose closest grocery store is in Campbell River. Now with the roads closed, people have to turn to each other for necessary supplies.
However, SRD protective services coordinator Shaun Koopman isn91裸聊视频檛 too worried about villagers in Tahsis.
91裸聊视频淵ou don91裸聊视频檛 live in Tahsis if you have to go to Starbucks,91裸聊视频 Koopman said. 91裸聊视频淚 am not worried about the residents up there.91裸聊视频
The emergency response in the communities has been aided by the Strathcona Regional District91裸聊视频檚 Emergency Operations Centre. Since things are happening so quickly, people have been trying to find off-the-cuff solutions to the issues. One idea was for a helicopter to bring food supplies in to the Zeballos warming centre, but because of the inclement weather that idea didn91裸聊视频檛 work out. Instead a barge with food and fuel has been donated and will be arriving in Zeballos this afternoon. Colborne said that since people have stepped up, the village should be fine for food for the day at least, and hopes that the roads get cleared in the meantime, allowing food shipments to come in.
91裸聊视频淭here will be supplies brought to us somehow,91裸聊视频 she said. 91裸聊视频淲e91裸聊视频檝e advised people not to travel on the road because it91裸聊视频檚 better to let those guys do their jobs. They91裸聊视频檙e out there plowing and trying to keep it open for us for essentials. Somehow, some way we are going to get medicines and food for the warming centre. Then we91裸聊视频檝e had a gracious donation from Grieg Seafood for fuel.91裸聊视频
Colborne hopes that the power will be back on on Friday afternoon.
91裸聊视频淭hat91裸聊视频檚 in perfect case scenario and in the best of conditions. We91裸聊视频檙e not in the best of conditions right now,91裸聊视频 she said. 91裸聊视频淲e91裸聊视频檙e building contingency planning for Sunday or so or even after, just so that we91裸聊视频檙e more prepared.91裸聊视频
Fixing the power system also is reliant on a helicopter, according to a release from B.C. Hydro.
91裸聊视频淭he continued heavy snowfall has caused extensive damage to the line serving customers in Tahsis and Zeballos,91裸聊视频 it says. 91裸聊视频淲e assessed damage using a helicopter yesterday, and we began work in areas where it was safe to do so. As more heavy snowfall is expected, work progress will be dependent on the weather conditions and crews ability to safely access damaged areas.91裸聊视频
Gold River has also seen more power outage issues this season than it does normally. Mayor Brad Unger posted on the village website that he and staff have 91裸聊视频渉ad discussions with the BC Hydro91裸聊视频檚 Vancouver Island community relations manger, Ted Olynyk, in regards to the current and past issues.91裸聊视频
Potential solutions were to have a crew stationed in the village, but Unger wrote BC Hydro91裸聊视频檚 response was that it would be 91裸聊视频渧ery difficult for many reasons.91裸聊视频
91裸聊视频淒uring severe weather storms like the one recently experienced, crews come from all over the island and the length of time they can work without a break is an issue that must be considered,91裸聊视频 Unger91裸聊视频檚 note says.
Despite the tough conditions, Colborne says that the villagers91裸聊视频 spirit has only reaffirmed her love for the area.
91裸聊视频淭he North Island is the place to be, man.91裸聊视频
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marc.kitteringham@campbellrivermirror.com
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