Confusion, anxiety, prayers and a community coming together as one.
That’s what all occurred in Red Lake on the weekend following a vicious and damaging storm struck Friday afternoon.
Homes, businesses, planes, buildings and the Heritage Centre were all damaged and power was knocked out in some areas for more than 36-hours.
Resident Marilyn Duncalfe spoke to CKDR News about the event and its impact.
Duncalfe says she lives far from the Heritage Centre and her lawn was littered with pieces of insulation foam from the inside roof of the Heritage Centre.
She says debris also cluttered Highway 105 and other roads in the community because of the powerful wind gusts.
A community emergency remains in place as clean-up efforts continue.
The Centre, Centennial Park and ball diamonds are all closed until further notice.
Duncalfe is thanking TJ’s Kwik Stop for stepping up during a lengthy power outage to help support residents.
She says their store became the meeting place and hub for the entire community.
TJ’s with food donated by IGA raised $2,600 to support the Heritage Centre.
Duncalfe says when they ran out of supplies, the Lions Club and Red Lake Miners took over the barbeque utilizing food that was to have been cooked for the postponed SIJHL game.
Duncalfe stresses the event gripped the entire community.
“You hear that someone, for example, an airplane has been submerged in the water. You know who that individual is and you feel it all the more deeply. So people truly pull together.”
To hear more, visit the Audio link below.
All pictures have been submitted by Marilyn Duncalfe.
To join the conversation on the weekend storm, visit https://www.facebook.com/groups/1755601174651802/
