ROBERVAL | Even though the evacuation of thousands of people went without panic, many concerned citizens do not know when they can return home, nor what condition their residence will be in when they return.
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For the citizens of Chibougamau, this nighttime evacuation will live long in the collective memory.
“It was more than just general medicine. It deserves an Oscar,” Mayor Manon Cyr said proudly of her team.
However, after rushing to pack their bags and leave home, most experience a rollercoaster of emotions.
“I just got my pickup. If I lose all my stuff, I turn around,” said Mario Gagné, who could also lose his job at Chantiers Chibougamau.
“Will we see our house again? Will our loved ones and friends be safe? There were many tears,” said Nancy Desaulniers.
surreal scene
On Tuesday evening, the municipality of Chibougamau called for the complete evacuation of its 7,500 residents to Roberval in Lac-Saint-Jean. The city looked like an apocalypse, shrouded in a thick cloud of smoke. The fact that thousands of citizens left the city at the same time added to the surreal scene.
About 155 miles separate Chibougamau from Roberval, which in normal times is about a three-hour drive. For many evacuees, who ended up at the back of the pack, it took nearly nine hours, bumper to bumper.
“It was absolutely mind-blowing, I didn’t expect to see something like this happen in my life,” says Mireilla Fortin.
“I can’t wait to get back in my garden,” said Pierrette Simard, lying on a lounger at the Center sportif Benoît-Lévesque.
PHOTO QMI AGENCY, ROGER GAGNON
Pierrette Simard and Richard Bourassa
patience
Far from home, however, people still have to be patient. “I don’t have a crystal ball but right now I’m told it certainly won’t be before next Saturday because there is still too much uncertainty,” Mayor Cyr said.
In the Aboriginal community of Opitciwan, northwest of La Tuque, other people were also transported to Roberval by bus. Many of them are restricted in their mobility or suffer from a chronic illness.
“It’s going well, but there are a lot of anxious people. They’re scared, but we’re doing our best to calm them down. We hope it doesn’t take too long,” added chef Jean-Claude Mequish.
Adjustment
Many healthcare professionals have also been forced to adapt quickly.
Pharmacist Frédéric Duchesne was evacuated from Chibougamau with his family of three and immediately went back to work in Roberval to help his family. “They have made us a preferred place on their team. We recruited four pharmacists for them. We feel like we’re in control and the goal is that nobody misses out.
Solidarity can already be felt in Saint-Félicien, where the citizens of Chapais were able to present themselves in Cégep on Thursday morning.
On Wednesday evening, the mayor of Chapais proposed a voluntary evacuation but strongly recommended it for people with vulnerable health.
“We are ready. We know that people in the regions are sensitive to the needs of others. A plan is like a spare tire in a car. We don’t want to use it, but we must have it!” concluded Mayor Luc Gibbons.
– With Nicolas St-Pierre, Diane Tremblay, Jeremy Bernier
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