THIS IS FROM THE TSESHAHT CHIEF COUNCILLOR Tseshaht First Nation A Message from the Chief Councillor Tseshaht has just been through, and continues to go through, an extraordinary challenge. ... Firstly, I am happy to report, that as far as we know, NOT a single Tseshaht member has suffered injury and there has been NO loss of life in this catastrophic flood. Secondly, several homes have suffered significant damage in this flood, HOWEVER, a large number of homes have been spared any damage at all due to the herculean efforts of over 100 sandbaggers and a dozen co-ordinators over the past two days. Tseshaht owes a deep debt to the friends and relatives in Port Alberni who rallied to our call for help and either helped sandbag or filled the band office with donations of food for the workers. Were it not for the efforts of the sandbaggers, the Tseshaht people would have suffered far greater loss. Homes such as those belonging to Baldy and Cliff Braker were spared any damage solely because of the sandbags placed around them. Almost a dozen homes were sandbagged with thousands of sandbags. Hundreds of thousands of dollars in damage was avoided. 22 homes were affected by this flood. Thirdly, the band office is open. However the staff at this time, some of whom have been working non-stop for 48 hours or more, are stressed and tired. Operations are NOT yet back to normal and will not be until next week. PLEASE be patient and understanding. Fourthly, we are nervously expecting the rain to return this morning. We will wait to see how bad it gets. The river had receded a bit overnight with the break in the rain. We hope it does not start climbing again. Sandbagging has stopped for the time being. Fifthly, the highway remains closed at Watty’s Hill. Hector Road remains impassible. There is still water over McCoy Creek bridge. At the old booming ground, the river remains on the pavement but no longer covers a full lane. I anticipate the road closures to remain for at least one more day. We ask those evacuated to remain out for a few more days. Sixth, Tseshaht continues to work with the B.C. emergency management, the City of Port Alberni and the Regional District. Many thanks to the Port Alberni Fire Department. Seventh, I will be going out momentarily to assess the situation and hope to report back shortly. Eighth, is that this flood comes at a bad time. The elders Christmas dinner has had to be postponed. Other activities are being assessed day to day. -Hugh Braker
Posted on: Thu, 11 Dec 2014 16:53:41 +0000
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