Work Schedules for Some Still Out of Whack Because of Flooding

By 250 News

Prince George, B.C. - The Nechako ice jam and flood are creating havoc with the employees who had hoped to return to their jobs today.

Winton Global had hoped to resume operations at its planer mill on River Road today with the return of 2 shifts and the employment of 170 people.  The weekend surge of water and resulting  flooding when the gabion dikes were breached, changed all that.

Winton Global President John  Elmslie “The water got us. We are down for one more week and then we will take it week by week.”

In addition to the 170 Winton Global employees who are not able to return to work, there are those who work in the bush who are not able to deliver the supplies until Winton Global is back up and running at the River Road location.

“There are about a thousand workers impacted by this flooding “ says Elmslie.

Winton Global has already moved its offices temporarily to Sinclair Enterprises on South Nicholson.  The Winton Homes Division on Tomlin is ok, for now.

Brink Forest Products had been preparing to return to work today, and the weekend flooding has not changed that plan “We are going ahead” says John Brink. 

This will be the first day since before Christmas that Brink workers have been  back on the job.

On Saturday night, the water surged, and flooded over the section of River Road that had already been raised by about  4 feet. The water was pooling about 15 inches higher than the road, making  it the highest water level  ever registered in that area, more than a foot higher than the 200 year   flood records.  Crews worked all day Sunday to bring more fill into the area to   build up that section of River Road again.

The loss for business  is staggering.  While none want to  put an exact figure on their losses,  both  in lost business and damage to their  facilities,  Brink Forest  Products President John Brink says   his  company’s losses are “In the millions of dollars.”

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