An early winter storm with heavy wet snow caused fallen trees, many on cars, and power lines in Winnipeg early Friday morning, October 11, 2019. (THE CANADIAN PRESS/John Woods)
WINNIPEG — An emergency shelter has been opened in wake of the severe snow storm that hammered parts of Manitoba this week.
The Canadian Red Cross is operating out of the RBC Convention Centre downtown to support residents from 11 First Nations without power.
The centre will be open to residents who register with the Red Cross prior to arriving at the shelter, officials say.
“Several First Nations have declared a state of emergency because their communities have been without power for 48 or more hours,” the Red Cross said in a statement.
“Evacuees are coming out of their communities via their own vehicles. The Canadian Red Cross is encouraging individuals in the affected communities to stay in their home communities, unless dictated by their leadership.”
Anyone wishing to volunteer with the Red Cross can email volunteer@redcross.ca or call 1-844-818-2155.
