Power still out in eastern Manitoba after Thanksgiving windstorm

A windstorm has left several eastern Manitoba communities without power for more than 24 hours.

Berens River, Poplar River, Pauingassi and Little Grand Rapids were all without power after a Monday wind storm caused widespread outages.

• Manitoba winds knock down power lines, trees, rip roof off building
• Calm winds return, temperatures climb in southern Manitoba

Berens River has been without power since 7:30 a.m. Monday. Tuesday afternoon, Hydro crews still hadn'trestored power.

"We're trying to find different means of securing warmth and ways of trying to cook food right now," said Chief Jackie Everett. "It was terribly cold [last night.] The winds were just gusting. You could just feel the winds coming into homes. It was horrible."

Crews flew into the community after sunrise on Tuesday to repair the damage, Hydro officials said. Work had to be suspended overnight on Monday due to continuing high winds.

Everett said Hydro officials haven't been in touch to keep the community updated about when the outage will be fixed.

"This is what really frustrates me is the lack of the communication. We wouldn't have found out if we didn't keep calling and calling and calling," she said.

Officials with Hydro told CBC crews have patrolled the line and found the issue.

They anticipate the power will be restored this evening, unless additional damage is found.

Everett said community members are using BBQs to cook their food, and freezers full of meat for the winter are spoiling.

"It concerns me because a lot of our families are under social assistance. I have low-income families that are struggling also. When this occurs if they are to lose their food supply, the meat supply for us, that's a catastrophe. We don't get extra help anywhere else," she said.

Everett added food costs in the area are high, making a freezer or fridge full of food a big loss for a family.

Gusts clocked at 100 km/h

Gusts were clocked as high as 100 kilometres per hour in Gretna. Emerson and Victoria saw gusts in the 90-km/h range.

In Winnipeg alone, 5,000 people lost power over the weekend. Power has been restored to those customers, but Hydro crews still have work to do in several other communities.

Crews will also work in Winnipeg to clear downed lines and branches that have fallen on power lines.