Power mostly restored in Baker Lake 2 days after storm whips hamlet
Severe storm bought down powerlines and uprooted power poles in the community
A map provided by Qulliq Energy Corp. shows the 11 industrial buildings that were still without power as of late Thursday afternoon on the eastern side of Baker Lake along 4th Avenue. (Image courtesy Qulliq Energy Corp.)
Services were mostly back online in Baker Lake Thursday evening, two days after a severe storm swept through, bringing down power lines and knocking out electricity service to many residents.
“As at noon today, all power was restored except for 11 industrial customers. Our crew is still working to restore power to the 11 customers still affected,” Tina Mandeya, corporate affairs director for Qulliq Energy Corp., said in an email Thursday.
Intermittent power outages started when the storm arrived Tuesday afternoon, she said.
Updates posted to the hamlet’s Facebook page after the storm started showed fallen power lines and power poles seemingly uprooted from the ground.
Due the danger, Mayor Kevin Iksiktaaryuk asked residents living near downed lines to stay indoors for their safety. The hamlet also set up a warming site at the community’s recreation centre.
On Wednesday morning, line workers for Nunavut’s power company were flown in to Baker Lake from Iqaluit to begin repairs. By that night, 139 customers were still without power, the hamlet said in a public service announcement.
It is unclear how widespread the power outage was at the height of the storm.
Hamlet authorities could not be reached for comment.
Thanks a lot linemen, working in blizzard conditions repairing the lines.
Agreed power line technicians in nunavut are some of the hardest working toughest people you’ll ever meet. Would be good to have a statue in honor of them.