Power Restored to Pimicikamak: Community Shifts to Damage Assessment

After four days in sub-zero darkness, the Pimicikamak Cree Nation (Cross Lake) has finally seen the return of electricity. While the successful repair of a snapped transmission line over the Nelson River marks a turning point, the community remains under a state of emergency as they transition from a survival crisis to a massive recovery effort.

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The Repair: A High-Stakes Operation

Manitoba Hydro crews faced extreme logistical hurdles to restore power by January 1, 2026:

• The Break: A 300-metre span of line snapped on December 28, falling across a section of the river where ice was too thin to support trucks.
• The Solution: Crews used helicopters and specialized equipment to string the new line between two islands, working in temperatures that dropped below -30°C.
• The Restoration: To prevent a grid collapse from a sudden “cold load” surge, power is being restored to homes and businesses in controlled phases.

The Current Crisis: “The Second Wave”

Chief David Monias has cautioned that the return of power does not mean the crisis is over. The community is now bracing for “secondary damage” caused by the prolonged freeze:

• Burst Pipes: Many homes are expected to have frozen or ruptured water lines, which could lead to flooding and mold as they thaw.
• Infrastructure Stress: The local water and sewage treatment systems were offline for days; engineers must now verify their safety before the system is fully pressurized.
• Evacuee Status: Over 1,400 vulnerable residents remain in hotels in Winnipeg and Thompson. They are being advised to wait for a formal “all clear” before returning home to ensure their residences are habitable.

Looking Ahead: Calls for Infrastructure Reform

This outage has reignited a push for long-term solutions. Chief Monias has reached out to Prime Minister Mark Carney for federal assistance and is advocating for:

1. Relocating Transmission Lines: Moving the grid closer to accessible roads so repairs can be made by truck rather than helicopter.
2. Military Assistance: Continued support from the Canadian Red Cross and potential military logistics to handle sanitation and water delivery during the thaw.