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Residents of a 25-storey Winnipeg apartment building evacuated Monday due to flooding say they’re unsure what the future holds.
Tenants at the Holiday Towers building at 170 Hargrave St. had no choice but to leave their suites Monday morning while firefighters tried to stem what the city called “significant flooding.”
Deputy Chief Jason Shaw said the incident was caused by sprinkler heads and the fire alarm standpipe system being opened.
Although crews were able to shut off the water, the building’s critical infrastructure sustained extensive water damage, and as of Tuesday, power was still out and elevators were inoperable.
“We are in a situation right now where the building owner is looking at getting all the systems fixed and hopefully getting everyone back in as quickly as possible,” he said.
Shaw said city emergency support personnel have completed registration for about 230 residents in the building, including two dozen who are considered to need additional support from the city.
Evacuees said they were in limbo, waiting to know when and if they would be allowed to return to their apartments in the north tower of the downtown complex.
Resident Turel Murdoch told Global News that his suite was on the 12th floor, close to where the leak started. He was later allowed back into the room to get essentials like medication, but is still waiting to hear when he can return and whether his belongings can be salvaged.
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“I haven’t been given an estimated timeline yet,” Murdoch said. “It’s assumed to be a few days.”
“It was so unexpected. I’ve never personally been in anything like this. I’m a bit nervous but at least I still have my partner to lean on. I know not everyone is so lucky.
“They did send out evacuation buses, so I’m sure people have somewhere to go … hopefully.”
Diana Puttee, whose suite is 10 floors above where the flooding occurred, said she received help from neighbors the first night, but since she couldn’t return to her apartment soon, she wasn’t sure what to do next.
“A very kind neighbour of mine put me up at the Delta Hotel, so I stayed at the Delta Hotel for one night,” Putty told Global Winnipeg.
“It’s a new day now. Who will help me?”
Purdy appreciated the help provided by Winnipeg Fire and Police during the evacuation, but she worries about how the potential damage will affect her future.
“If we don’t have tenant insurance, like I do, we’re basically out on the street.”
The City of Winnipeg confirmed the flooding and said emergency social services teams were on site to assist with temporary shelter, but said it had no further information on a timeline for tenants to return.
“I took some time off to deal with this, but I only have until next week, so hopefully they can fix it soon,” said resident Fernando Molina.
“My apartment has some damage, but the material things don’t matter. Right now, I need a place to live.”
Global News has reached out to the building management for more information.
© 2024 Global News, a division of Corus Entertainment Inc.
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