UPDATE: Local state of emergency in Pangnirtung - April 5, 2015
Emergency Bulletin
UPDATE: Local state of emergency in Pangnirtung
April 5, 2015 - CURRENT UPDATE: 4:30 p.m.
Iqaluit, NU
The Hamlet of Pangnirtung declared a local state of emergency on April 2, 2015 due to a fire at the power plant, resulting in community-wide power outages. QEC restored partial power to the community on the evening of Thursday, April 2.
A generator will arrive in Pangnirtung this afternoon to assist with powering the main feeder lines in the community. QEC technicians will begin installing this generator this afternoon with the goal of restoring full power to the entire community late Sunday night.
Residents are reminded to conserve power for basic necessities until further notice. There may be periodic outages as full power is restored and services are added to the main power line. Until then, power services remain on a regular four hour rotation.
The community health centre and both schools will remain on back-up generators to relieve power loads on the main feeder lines.
Fuel services continue to operate regularly, including the delivery of home heating and jet fuel.
Stores in the community remain open from 1-5 p.m. daily. Residents are reminded to check all perishable foods before consuming to ensure they are safe to eat. If using portable heating or cooking devices in the home, ensure proper ventilation to avoid carbon monoxide poisoning. Barbecues should never be used indoors.
Residents are reminded to conserve water and practice safe hygiene practices (hand washing, waste management) until all services are restored.
Health care workers will be checking on elders and persons requiring assistance. Anyone requiring medical care or assistance are advised to present themselves at the community health centre or call 867-473-8977.
The local state of emergency will remain in place until power is restored to the entire community.
The GN would like to thank the Hamlet of Pangnirtung and all of the partnering departments, agencies and community organizations for their dedication in responding to this emergency.
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Media Contact:
Hillary Casey
Information Officer
Nunavut Emergency Management
867-975-5342