On Friday afternoon, a significant water main break occurred along Main Street in Winnipeg, causing chaos and localized flooding. Jacqueline Stortz, along with her aunt, was caught in the aftermath as they were traveling south on Main Street.
Incident Details
At approximately 4 p.m., crews working on underground piping at the North End Sewage Treatment Plant accidentally damaged a water main. This mishap led to knee-deep flooding along Main Street, particularly near Chief Peguis Trail. As a result, Main Street was closed to traffic in both directions between Seaforth Avenue and Chief Peguis Trail.
Experiences of Jacqueline Stortz
Stortz expressed her frustration as traffic began to slow while water began to accumulate on the street. Despite the growing depth of the water, traffic continued moving, forcing her and her aunt to proceed forward.
- “There was so much water that it went into the vehicle and killed my auntie’s van,” Stortz recalled.
- The vehicle became submerged, prompting them to call 911.
- They waited almost an hour before emergency responders arrived to assist them.
Stortz appreciated the help they received, as firefighters relocated their vehicle to a shallow area of water. “They helped us into the ambulance and brought our Christmas items with us,” she said. However, the experience took a toll on them, leaving Stortz feeling sore and shaken the following day.
Community Impact and Response
As temperatures dropped below -20 degrees Celsius, North Kildonan Coun. Jeff Browaty described the flooding as “an alarming amount of water.” He acknowledged the frustrations of residents affected by the incident, particularly during rush hour, and indicated that the city would investigate the cause of the break.
- Browaty mentioned concerns about how quickly Main Street was closed to traffic.
- He plans to assess whether the contractor responsible for the work will absorb the cleanup and repair costs.
Ongoing Consequences
Currently, Stortz’s aunt is left without a vehicle. Manitoba Public Insurance has informed her that she will be responsible for the repair costs since she drove into the flooded area. Stortz expressed concern over her aunt’s situation, emphasizing her aunt’s financial struggles and the challenges posed by the loss of her vehicle.
Stortz also shared her desire for a thorough review of the incident, believing it could have been handled more efficiently to prevent the distressing experience they faced. “It was really upsetting, you know, that it wasn’t handled in a timely fashion and could have prevented this from happening,” she concluded. The incident has left them both shaken but thankful for the assistance they received amid the chaos.
