Intense rainfall leading to overland flooding and road washouts has forced the City of Dauphin to declare a state of emergency, and the Dauphin Regional Health Centre to close its emergency room.
According to Prairie Mountain Health, the emergency department is closed until further notice and evacuation of some patients due to flooding has begun. They’re asking anyone with urgent care needs to go to emergency department services at Ste Rose District Health Centre.
“The safety and continued care of our patients remains the priority at this time and staff and are working closely with local emergency services and other partners to coordinate the safe transport of patients to another healthcare facility that can meet their care needs,” said PMH in a statement. “All efforts will be made to keep patients, and their loved ones, informed about potential transfer locations and care.”
For non-urgent matters, PMH asked Dauphin and area residents to call Health Links at 1-888-315-9257. Anyone seeking information about their loved ones who have been relocated are asked to call the Patient Information Line operated by Health Links at: 1-888-315-9257.
Some departments at the hospital do remain open, including cancer care (chemotherapy), diagnostic services, laboratory services, maternity, outpatient appointments, kidney care and dialysis, and surgery and endoscopy.
Meanwhile, Manitoba Transportation and Infrastructure reports that travel is restricted throughout an area from Russell north to Mafeking, east to the Saskatchewan and west to the area around Dauphin Lake due to road washouts. They said as many as 50 roads have been damaged, are covered by water or may have washed out sections, including all the roads into Duck Mountain Provincial Park. Manitoba Parks has registered nearly 200 park users (including campers, cottagers, residents and commercial operators) within the park and is working with other agencies to restore power and road access.
