City of Dauphin Mayor David Boaisk is running on fumes. Himself and much of the city staff have been awake for the past 24 hours, trying their best to start putting out fires, so to speak, when it comes to all of Dauphin's flooding.
Bosiak wants to remind everyone: don't travel unless it's absolutely necessary. Any travel through flooded roads or washed-out areas, as it's a very big danger.
"So we're dealing with a lot of water on the streets, water in people's basements, quite a concern there...if you don't have to go anywhere, please don't. And that just allows our emergency crews and public works people to get where they need to if necessary, and it avoids stalled cars in intersections and other things. It's just not a thing to be doing right now, to be driving around," said Bosiak.
With the City of Dauphin declaring a State of Local Emergency, they are now able to do a lot more to help prevent damage and loss of life. Bosiak said the City plans on using those powers to their fullest, if necessary. The Dauphin Fire Department is also coordinating with the Urban Search and Rescue Team for operations within the city, and they're expected to be here soon.
"Because of the declaration of a local state of emergency, we are now able to [commandeer] any kind of equipment that we need, so we will be doing that if necessary...our emergency measures coordinator is working to get us the curling rink for the evacuation point, and the credit union place as a command post for the USAR team, and that's the emergency team that works with the fire department," said Bosiak.
Bosiak also said one of the most important things for Dauphin in the near future is community cooperation, and emphasizing the "Neighbours Helping Neigbours" mentality. The City is not directing anyone where to go, but urges people to give your neighbours a hand if they need.
