Trapped in wake of blizzard, seniors say
Last Updated: Wednesday, March 19, 2008 | 12:29 PM NT
CBC News
Dozens of senior citizens were trapped in their homes by piles of snow Wednesday in the wake of a blizzard in central Newfoundland.
The seniors live in a group of cottages in Grand Falls-Windsor owned by Newfoundland and Labrador Housing, the provincial government's public housing corporation.
"There's a lot of people here who can't get out," resident Phyllis Maidment told CBC News by phone because she couldn't open her snowed-in door for an interview.
Maidment, who has a heart condition, said she is worried she will miss an appointment with her doctor Wednesday afternoon, among more serious issues, because there is no sign of anyone coming to shovel her out.
A week's worth of stormy conditions dumped almost 100 cm of snow on the region.
"I'm concerned because I only have one door," she said. "You couldn't even get the windows open if I needed to get the windows open. My biggest concern is fire."
Maidment told CBC News that because the cottages are owned by the public housing corporation, it's the province's responsibility to have the walkways cleared. She said she's called the corporation, but to no avail.
"They say, 'oh they're on the way, they're on the way.' But they never come."
Newfoundland and Labrador Housing has asked Maidment and her neighbours to be patient.
The corporation said it runs 61 seniors units in Grand Falls-Windsor, and a spokesperson said crews worked all Wednesday morning to dig people out.
The workers are helping the seniors with severe medical conditions first, but it could be the end of the day before all the doorways are cleared.
