Storm Tracker

The Ministry of Northern Development, Mines, Natural Resources, and Forestry is distributing sandbags to those who live in the unorganized areas of Dryden.

The ministry has set up a sandbag distribution centre at the Dryden Agricultural Centre at 99 Scott Street. Sand will also be available on-site as well.

Those receiving sandbags may be asked to provide identification, to ensure that resources are being distributed appropriately.

------Update------

The Municipality of Red Lake has provided an update regarding the Highway 105 closure. 

"We have been advised that MTO crews continue to work diligently to have the highway open this evening," the municipality says in a social media post on Monday afternoon (May 9, 2022). 

They concluded by saying they will update again once they learn more.

------Original Story Below------

The bulk of the rain that Environment Canada predicted on Friday (May 6, 2022) is supposed to hit the region on Monday (May 9, 2022).

On Sunday (May 8, 2022) the weather agency issued a Rainfall Warning for the Kenora and Dryden areas, calling for a lot of rain to fall in a short amount of time.

A Severe Thunderstorm Watch has been issued by Environment Canada for the Kenora, Nestor Falls, Dryden, Vermilion Bay, Ignace, and English River. 

Environment Canada is saying that the current weather conditions are favourable for the development of a severe thunderstorm, that could cause strong winds gusts, and large hail. 

The large hail could cause property damage and cause injury. Strong wind gusts can toss loose objects, damage weak buildings, break branches off trees and overturn large vehicles. 

The Northwestern Student Services Consortium have announced the following school bus routes will be impacted by flooding and road closures on Monday, May 9:

Red Lake/Ear Falls

• RL1, RL3, RL4, RL5, RL35, & RL94 will be cancelled due to the closure of Highway 105.

Dryden/Vermilion Bay

More rain is on the way. In total, between 20 to 30 mm of rain is expected to fall by Monday evening.

Environment Canada has issued a rainfall warning for Kenora and the surrounding area.

The weather agency says 20 to 30 mm of rain will fall on Monday with higher rainfall amounts possible with localized thunderstorms.

The ground, already saturated, has little ability to absorb further rainfall.

Road access into Red Lake will remain cut off until at least Monday afternoon, according to the Municipality of Red Lake.

"Crews are working on repairing the washout. Water levels remain high. It is anticipated that the earliest the road may be opened is tomorrow (Monday) afternoon," said the municipality in a social media post Sunday morning.

A washout approximately 15 kilometres south of Red Lake, at Caribou Falls, has cut the community of roughly 4,000 people off from the rest of the region.

Between 15 and 25 mm of rain is expected to fall in the Dryden area tomorrow. (Sunday, May 8).

Environment Canada has issued a rainfall warning for Dryden, Vermilion Bay, Ignace, English River and the surrounding communities.

A low pressure system over the Prairies will bring rain to portions of northwestern Ontario on Sunday. The frozen and saturated ground has a reduced ability to absorb this rainfall.

Another round rain is expected midday Monday into Monday evening, with an additional 20 to 30 mm of rainfall possible.

Highway 105 will remain closed for at least another 24 hours, said Red Lake Mayor Fred Mota.

"The difficulty the MTO are sharing is the high water flow traveling under the bridge. They're anticipating the water levels will drop, but they are calling for rain later this evening, which could add additional problems for the water flow."

"Once they get the water to a certain level, they'll be able to go in and begin construction to repair the bridge, and at this time they're stating 24 hours minimum the road will be closed," stated Mayor Mota.

Highway 105 has been washed out approximately 15 kilometres south of Red Lake, at Caribou Falls. 

The road surface completely washed out at approximately noon today and it is understood that a logging road, which could serve as an alternate route has also washed away. 
 

The Highway 105 reopening day/time is unknown.