The City of Kenora has confirmed that the continuous rain on Friday (May 20, 2022), is not stopping roadway work on the East Melick and Essex Road intersection.
Crews will be laying a top surface and building up that section of road to stabilize and open the road back up again. Since May 14, 2022, the road has been closed due to continuous flooding and rising water levels.
The work is expected to take one day to complete and is able to resume due to water levels showing some consistency over the last week.
As early as Friday evening (May 20, 2022), residents who live along East Melick Road between the Portier bridge and the Essex Road intersection (this includes Victoria Crescent, Decemvir Dr, Bell Point Road, and Aube Dr) should have access back to their homes.
Upon completion the city will focus on the flooded area of East Melick Road that is 500m north of Bells Point Road, similar efforts will be made to raise the roadway to a safe level as has been completed near the Essex Road intersection.
Weather and water levels permitting, this work will take approximately one week.
More rain is in the forecast as Environment Canada says between 20 - 40 mm of rain could fall between Thursday evening (May 19) and Friday overnight (May 20).
A number of residents in areas north of the Kenora by-pass evacuated their homes on May 13-14, 2022, as the city issued an evacuation order for properties on the east side of the Black Sturgeon Lake.
Earlier this week, city crews worked at building up Anderson Branch Road to protect from further washouts and flooding.
The Kenora Recreation Centre continues to serve as an Evacuation Site for the time being.
The city’s Director of Corporate Services, Heather Pihulak, says cots are available with blankets and pillows, and washrooms and showers are available for displaced residents. You will need to register at the front desk and provide proof of residency. To date, no one has used the available services.
The Mount Evergreen Ski Hill is also willing to host campers and as a place to store large items.