State of emergency declared in Kimmirut, Nunavut, due to extended power outage

The Nunavut government has declared a state of emergency in the hamlet of Kimmirut due to an extended power outage that has left the community dangerously low on food.

The community has been without power for two days — leaving residents and stores without heat, running water or refrigeration.

The outages began around 4 p.m. on Thursday, according to Kimmirut search and rescue co-ordinator Rosie Akavak.

Nunavut power provider Qulliq Energy Corporation gave its first update on the outage about 40 minutes later, saying the community-wide outage was caused by "issues with the generators."

Health centre open for emergencies

The Nunavut government declared a state of emergency in a news release at 4 p.m. on Saturday.

"The need to declare a state of emergency at this time is to expedite the processes and provide the necessary supports to the Hamlet of Kimmirut," the release said, adding it would allow the Nunavut government to assign more resources to the problem.

The Kimmirut health centre is also only open for emergencies and urgent health concerns during the outage, the Nunavut government said in a separate announcement on Saturday.

The community remained without power as of 6 p.m. Saturday, Nunavut power provider Qulliq Energy Corporation said.

Warming shelter set up at local school

But crews were working to repair the main power plant and emergency unit in Kimmirut, the utility added.

The local school, which has power through a generator, has been open as a warming shelter during the outage.

Other community organizations are also helping, Akavak said.

The local search and rescue organization has been donating its supply of naphtha to residents who are using camp stoves to cook and stay warm, and the local housing authority has been working to stop pipe freezes. 

'We all need to eat'

The community's biggest concern is that food may run out, Akavak said. After almost two days without any refrigeration, residents are concerned the existing food supply may have gone bad, especially frozen food, she said.

The school has been offering meals with food intended for its breakfast program, but Akavak said food supply is expected to run out this weekend.

"I'm just worried for everyone here in town," Akavak said. "There's babies here. There's all ages, from elders to infants. We all need to eat, but there's barely anything in our refrigerators, in our freezers."

David Joanasie, the MLA for the area, said in a social media announcement on Saturday morning the Nunavut Department of Community and Government services is working with Qulliq Energy and the hamlet to ensure that the outage is resolved as soon as possible, and community members have the necessary supplies until that happens.