Winisk Flood, 1986

On May 16 1986, the Northern Ontario community of Winisk was completely washed away. A spring ice jam on the Winisk River caused flood waters to reach as far as six kilometers inland, sending every structure but two into Hudson Bay.

Many residents were caught by surprise. Massive boulders of ice were carried by the torrent through town, completely enveloped by the swollen river. Several were injured and two were killed. One man drowned and one woman was crushed by ice.

Relief efforts were difficult, as few roads existed in the isolated settlement. Residents had no escape from the town, which was connected to the greater world only by a small helipad. While the flood had spared this infrastructure, it proved inadequate for effective rescue of the town's population. Some residents were stranded in canoes for days while rescue conducted by The Department of Indian and Northern Affairs airlifted victims between the disaster and the helipad.

An inquest was launched as a result of the disaster. Several recommendations were made, including more effective surveillance of river conditions, the implementation of an early flood warning system, emergency transportation adequate to serve its population, and a pre-planned escape route. Communication was also cited as an issue. Many northern communities did not even possess a CB radio. The community's isolation contributed to its neglect in flood protection.

Winisk was abandoned, and the community was later rebuilt thirty kilometers up-river on higher ground. The new settlement was renamed Peawanuck, meaning "flintstone" in the Cree language.

References