Heavy rain in Cumberland House concerns residents about Highway 123

A rainfall warning issued for Cumberland House on Thursday has left those in that community worrying about what could come next, especially when it comes to the status of Highway 123.

Last week, the community declared a state of emergency because Highway 123 – the main highway in and out of the village — was left in “deplorable and deteriorating conditions.”

Because of the extra rainfall expected for the community, Mayor Ferlin McKay said people in the area were questioning whether it’s safe to leave or not.

“I just phoned one of the locals that was travelling to Nipawin this morning and our highway is not as good as it was yesterday,” McKay said. “It did take him about two and a half hours to get to Nipawin when he left here this morning. He’s (thinks) it’s going to get worse (than) it was before.”

McKay said it normally takes an hour and 40 minutes to get from Cumberland house to Nipawin.

“We have a concern. People are asking on social media if it’s safe for them to be travelling and to go out of town to do whatever they need to do,” Mckay added. “They’re asking each other if it’s safe enough or if it’s (too risky) for them to travel on the highway.”

McKay mentioned last week, that conditions on the road were so bad groceries had to be flown in by plane because it was unsafe for trucks to get into the community.

He added, the rain Thursday has the local gas station looking at worst-case scenario options in case the gas truck couldn’t get into the community.

“Today, they’re trying to bring in the fuel truck and it’s on its way, but we don’t know if it’s going to be making it into our community because of the sloppy road we have today,” McKay said earlier in the day. “We’re hoping he makes it in. The store manager at the northern store will be rationing our gas if it (the truck) can’t make it in today.”

Some construction has been done on the road to make it more passable – McKay said equipment has been out grading the road and there was also gravel getting poured on it – but he insists what highway crews are doing is not working.

In terms of the health-care conditions, the community said ambulances can’t make it past the highway because of the road conditions. The community does have air service if there is a need but Deputy Mayor Veronica Favel said it’s gotten to the point where people in the community are starting to delay or cancelling appointments because it’s too risky to travel.

McKay said Lori Carr, the Minister of Highways for the province, plans to travel to the community and meet with him and council on June 10.