CUT OFF from a road connection with the outside world because of flooding, the District of Stewart is asking the province for financial help.
The request through the province’s emergency management organization was made just this morning, says Peter Weeber, the District of Stewart’s chief administrative officer.
“We have people who need food, fuel and support,” said Weeber of a community which has had its only road in and out to the rest of the region closed since Tuesday.
He’s been organizing a delivery of supplies, along with Stewart businesses, via a barge from Prince Rupert.
“We’re hopeful we’ll get some help from the province,” said Weeber of the barge cost which would be more than $15,000.
As of last night, provincial transportation officials were saying it could be as long as five days before ground transportation to Stewart is reestablished.
A rain-swollen Bear River has eroded sections of Hwy37 A into the community and one bridge, the Bitter Creek Bridge, has been destroyed by rising flood waters.
Weeber said the transportation ministry is bringing in a large temporary bridge called a Bailey bridge but that the highway also needs to be cleared of obstructions and needs repairs between where the bridge is stored now and where it will be installed.
He said a community meeting last night in the community’s school provided as much information as possible to residents.
Attempts are also being made to fly people out on aircraft being used by mining and other companies operating in the area.
