Westman struggles under grip of extreme cold

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This article was published 16/01/2024 (985 days ago), so information in it may no longer be current.

The extreme cold has shut down a Westman First Nation and left some international students in Brandon scrambling for warmer clothing.

Sioux Valley Dakota Nation announced on its website and social media Sunday that the community was under a state of emergency due to the cold weather.

On Monday, the daycare and schools were reported closed, the school bus service was cancelled and SVDN infrastructure put a post out asking residents to keep their water running to avoid freezing pipes. The notices also encouraged residents to stay inside.

Brandon and Westman have been under the grip of an extreme cold warning from Environment Canada since last Thursday. Dangerously cold temperatures have plagued southwest Manitoba communities with winds of 15 to 30 kilometres an hour, resulting in wind chill values that feel like -40 to -50 C at times.

The International Office at Brandon University is doing another outdoor clothing drive due to the extreme cold. David Rowland, director of international activities at BU, said requests have gone up from international students who did not imagine this kind of cold.

“The cold snap has certainly sped up the need for warmer clothing. A lot of our students come from a climate 20 to 25 degrees warmer than this. The students in residence might be OK, but we have students who live off campus. Even walking for five to 10 minutes — it can be an unbearable walk, even for only five minutes,” Rowland said.

The International Office at BU is in McMaster Hall and is accepting donations of coats, hats, mitts, gloves and scarves.

Natalie Hasell, warning preparedness meteorologist with Environment Canada, said everyone is affected by the cold.

“Even the very fit and hearty people of the Prairies are going to be at risk in extreme cold conditions. That’s why we issue warnings. We don’t need to tell you it’s cold, you can tell that, but you need to know that it’s cold enough that it could be a problem,” Hasell said.

Skin can freeze within 10 minutes if there is a wind chill factor of -40 C. Extreme cold also puts higher risk groups like children, seniors and chronic illness sufferers including those with cardiovascular disease and diabetes at great risk for cold illness, as well as people who work or exercise outside. Cold illness is frostbite or hypothermia, which can happen quickly and have dire consequences.

“It’s really important for people to be the good neighbour, and to pay attention to what’s happening around them. Frostbite can happen very quickly. And in the worst cases typically can lead to amputation,” Hasell said. “Then if you look at hypothermia, which is the other part of the cold illness side, that’s your core temperature falling too low. If hypothermia is serious enough, it will lead potentially to confusion and loss of muscle control and difficulty walking.”

The extreme cold warning is expected to be dropped by Tuesday morning, with the forecast predicting a high of -18 C. However, the nighttime temperature will dip down to -26 C with wind gusts up to 29 km/h, making it feel like -31 C. Hasell said this still puts you at risk for frostbite.

“Anything that’s colder than minus 30 is still pretty bad. If we look at our windchill hazard thresholds, minus 28 to minus 39 is high risk of frostbite or exposure. Exposed skin can freeze in 10 to 30 minutes,” Hasell said.

“In the length of time it might take you a walk a block and a half, that could be 10 minutes and you could have frostbite. Someone that’s running errands or someone who is playing outside, or someone is stuck waiting for someone — they could be putting themselves at risk unnecessarily. Despite the fact that we don’t have a warning out, it could still be dangerous with those conditions.”

Animals are also at greater risk and Environment Canada says if it’s too cold outside for you, it’s too cold for your pet.

Hasell suggested putting together a good car emergency kit. According to getprepared.gc.ca, emergency kit items can include food that won’t spoil (like granola bars), water in plastic bottles, blankets, extra clothing, shoes and boots, a first aid kit with a seatbelt cutter, a small shovel, scraper and snowbrush, a flashlight, candles, a whistle and paper. The website also says you should keep these items in your trunk: sand, salt or non-clumping cat litter, antifreeze, tow rope, jumper cables, a fire extinguisher and a warning light or flares.

» khenderson@brandonsun.com

Twitter: @KHatBrandonSun.