Residents at Long Plain First Nation are looking over the damage, following a tornado in the area last night. Several homes lost portions of their roofs, and one home was knocked off its foundation and had the roof blown completely off. Power, Telephone Lines, and in some cases water have all been knocked out by the overnight storm. Long Plain Fire Chief Randy Marak says they'll likely spend several weeks cleaning up, but notes first they need to have access to electricity.
"We're looking at a massive clean-up. We have to get carpentry crews on the go here to start boarding up houses. We have a lot of roof damage, we have some houses there with partial roofs taken off, one there with no roof. We have no hydro to work with so we're going to have to get generators to get going here. That's the biggest thing right now, and getting emergency supplies out here."
Marek says they'll be declaring a state of emergency, to allow their work to be conducted under the emergency measures organization. He also notes they're receiving some help from the neighbouring first nations, as they send crews of carpenters to help with the work. 
About 100 people were evacuated from the community last night after the storm significant damaged many of the homes. Marek says they'll be set up in Portage la Prairie hotel rooms, but says it could be quite some time before they're able to go back home.
The community has set up a command centre at the Long Plain Spirit Lodge, where they want all residents to meet to ensure they have what they need. Mikinaak Day Care Executive Director Lorraine Myerion was one of those at the meeting place and says it was devastating to see the extent of the damage this morning.
"I'm thanking God that I haven't heard of anyone being hurt or anything. It is really heartbreaking to see what had happened. I guess it's just nature."
Myerion says Long Plain is a strong community, and with the assistance of their neighbours they should be able to bring life back to normal.
Thu, Apr 25, 5:00 PM
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