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What does somebody do if they can't drive to work because of flooding?

What does somebody do if they can't drive to work because of flooding?

j94
Joined: May 2014
Posts: 38

j94
Joined: May 2014
Posts: 38

What does somebody do if they can't drive to work because of flooding?
4/5/2017 at 4:51 PM

With how fast the river is going up, some of our rural roads have been closed already do to the water going over and breaking up the roads. There's only so many detours to take, some longer than others. Now my question is what happens when those roads get closed? They are already so close to flooding over too! Soon I'll be stuck with no way to get to work, for who knows how long..
johnnoon
Joined: Dec 2013
Posts: 123

johnnoon
Joined: Dec 2013
Posts: 123

canoe
4/5/2017 at 4:53 PM

take canoe along river into town then cab? Getting home might be a real work out though.
j94
Joined: May 2014
Posts: 38

j94
Joined: May 2014
Posts: 38

Canoeing..
4/5/2017 at 4:55 PM

From oak Lake to virden down the Assiniboine river.. Not likely!
who-am-i?
Joined: Aug 2014
Posts: 174

who-am-i?
Joined: Aug 2014
Posts: 174

...
4/5/2017 at 5:42 PM

I guess you budget for your lost income for the days you can't work, or maybe use holiday time. Perhaps find someone you can stay with closer to your work. And hope your employer is understanding about your inability to work.
wonderment
Joined: Aug 2014
Posts: 392

wonderment
Joined: Aug 2014
Posts: 392

Umm
4/5/2017 at 6:06 PM

Talk to your employer as they're the ones it going to affect? Maybe they have a solution? Stay with a friend or family member not in the flood zone?
eph2-8
Joined: Dec 2009
Posts: 175

eph2-8
Joined: Dec 2009
Posts: 175

become self employed
4/5/2017 at 7:11 PM

Unless you live on an island why cant you get to work. if you know the road is going to close find a friend or family to stay with. NOT going to work is not acceptable and I would not want you as an employee. It shows your real side that is not committed. I can get to work so can you if you really want to. I also travel 50 min each day to get there regardless of the weather.
j94
Joined: May 2014
Posts: 38

j94
Joined: May 2014
Posts: 38

4/5/2017 at 7:24 PM

I wouldnt want you as an employer if you have no consideration for your employees. When you live on a farm and have animals to feed, there's more to think about. It's not a matter of not wanting to show up for work. Let me just pack up the farm and take it with me right?! When your completely surrounded by water and have no way to get around it because they're shutting down your roads, let me know how that works out for you. For anyone else, I posted this for different ideas on the matter incase some one is in the same situation or has been before.. not whether or not someone would want me as an employee. That's besides the point, thanks for your input but take it elsewhere.
Genevieve
Joined: Feb 2009
Posts: 454

Genevieve
Joined: Feb 2009
Posts: 454

Suggestions...
4/5/2017 at 9:27 PM

If the main road you drive on to work becomes flooded, you plan ahead. Wake up earlier to take the detours for road closures. If possible stay within Brandon or closer to the City (family/friends/motels). If you're currently on land where animals, equipment etc. are in danger from flooding water try calling the R.M. for assistance, call surrounding neighbours ask for help to move animals, equipment etc. to higher ground. Speak with your employer maybe there are alternative solutions like using vacation days or banked time.

Edited by Genevieve, 2017-04-05 21:41:44
JessieJay
Joined: Mar 2016
Posts: 796

JessieJay
Joined: Mar 2016
Posts: 796

If
4/5/2017 at 9:38 PM

your roads all flood and you cannot make it to town at all then you stay home and use holiday time or leave without pay. if you are on a farm and have animals and no one else to stay home and look after them then you cannot be boarding away from home. I am in that situation and I make darn sure that I do not get stranded away from home. If roads are impassable then I will be at home. If your spouse can stay on the farm and do chores then staying in town is an option. If you can still get out with a long detour you.must decide if the extra time and gas is worth it-or are you better to take some time off and just stay home? If your daily commute takes more in gas than you take home each day-fir me it wouldn't be worth it.
j94
Joined: May 2014
Posts: 38

j94
Joined: May 2014
Posts: 38

Detours
4/5/2017 at 9:54 PM

I think I've got it figured out. driving around this evening most of our main roads are flooded over with road closure signs. Commuting 3-4 x the normal distance might be an option, but have to go for a drive to ensure that road isn't closed as well. My animals are a priority and luckily my employer IS understanding of the situation. Going to play it by ear, and take the days as they come. Thanks
Piffer
Joined: Feb 2011
Posts: 317

Piffer
Joined: Feb 2011
Posts: 317

during the last flood
4/6/2017 at 8:47 AM

my 20 minute commute turned into a 2 hour plus commute. You do whatever you have to do to get to work and if you are not wanting to do what it takes to get there then you get there once and find new accomodations while you are unable to go back and forth.
You choose where you live and it is not the employers issue that you cannot get to work....it is yours.
Jellybean
Joined: May 2010
Posts: 1378

Jellybean
Joined: May 2010
Posts: 1378

......
4/6/2017 at 9:40 AM

Obviously you live on a farm from your posts, so are there enough ways for you to get from your farm in to town for necessities like groceries, etc.?
Then you said you have to go from Oak Lake to Varden, so if you can get from your farm in to oak lake, the rest of the way would be on the #1, which is not flooded over.
Unless it is completely impossible, and the roads all around you, including the #1 highway are closed, then there really is no excuse.
If it takes you an extra 10-15 minutes to get to work because of detouring around flooded roads, then you just have to plan your day around that.
If you are completely stranded, and have no roads in and out of your home, then your situation is a little more serious, and I''d be packing up and finding alternate accommodations, as that would stop you from acquiring basic necessities. As for your animals, you would have to be using a boat to get in and out to look after them then I guess if it was really that serious.

Edited by Jellybean, 2017-04-06 09:44:38
TWENTY
Joined: Mar 2017
Posts: 123

TWENTY
Joined: Mar 2017
Posts: 123

Flooding
4/6/2017 at 10:01 AM

So you are saying that you are completely flooded in?? No way in no way out, you now live on an island?? What happens if the water doesn't recede for a few weeks? I hope you have lots of food and supplies.

To be honest, and no offence, it kind of sounds like someone doesn't want to go to work.
CatMan
Joined: May 2012
Posts: 1144

CatMan
Joined: May 2012
Posts: 1144

Come On People
4/6/2017 at 10:16 AM

Flooding is a serious issue, just watch the news. Do some of you live in a bubble? Yes, in some areas people are living on an island until the water recedes.
You can't just pack up and leave your animals to fend for themselves, it's inhumane and illegal. Also there is the issue of protecting your property.
Nowhere did I get any inkling this was someone trying to get of going to work.
Just hope the employer is a reasonable person and something can be worked out without putting someone's life or job in jeopardy.
gekko
Joined: Jul 2009
Posts: 67

gekko
Joined: Jul 2009
Posts: 67

Serious illness
4/6/2017 at 11:34 AM

Sure hope at sometime you don't need an ambulance. Not sure a helicopter to take you to a hospital is covered under blue cross? Not meant to be a slam, just facts we do think about. Not sure Oak Lake ambulance service or Virden for that matter has access to a boat, and even if they did how long would it take for them to get to you with all they need?

Edited by gekko, 2017-04-06 11:37:38
GordonSchwindt
Joined: Jun 2009
Posts: 491

GordonSchwindt
Joined: Jun 2009
Posts: 491

Emergency or inconvenience?
4/6/2017 at 10:27 PM

I think many in our modern world confuse emergency with inconvenience. To me an emergency is a new unexpected turn of events. An annual event should not be translated into an emergency.

Many residents of the Town of Oak Lake have experienced the tragedy of flooded basements. The first time it was an emergency. The repeated flood damage is not an emergency. It is the consequence of the failure of the administration to dig a few ditches to prepare storm sewage.

I know this is a tangent to the original posters question. Floods happen in the spring to varying degrees. We know it is coming so a prudent thinking person will make appropriate preparations so they can safely get to work.

Suggestions that a flood is an excuse to miss work is to choose to be a victim.
Piffer
Joined: Feb 2011
Posts: 317

Piffer
Joined: Feb 2011
Posts: 317

Out of town dwellers
4/7/2017 at 9:24 AM

I have been doing a great deal of reading the various posts from out of town dwellers complaining about their circumstance.
1/ The highways are closed and now I cannot get to work.....my employer should be forced to pay me because the highway is closed.
1a/ You choose where you live, your employer does not. You chose to live there for whatever reason and if you are now unhappy with that choice because of logistics then move.
2/ I cannot get to work without being inconvenienced by closed roads due to floods.
2a/ Same answer as 1a.

You are always able to change your circumstance when it comes to where you choose to be.....Stop whining!
If you are not able to come up with a solution then you are the problem!
Your employer is not responsible for how you choose to live.
ram1952
Joined: Mar 2017
Posts: 114

ram1952
Joined: Mar 2017
Posts: 114

Choice
4/7/2017 at 10:33 AM

Its your choice to live out of town. It would be unfair to the other employees who make it to work on time each day, if your employer were to give you special consideration. Make prior arrangements to take holidays or leave without pay should you get stranded at home due to weather, road closures etc. Remember - if you miss to much work because of where you choose to live, you employer has the right to terminate you with cause - especially if your continued absence effects his business commitments.
j94
Joined: May 2014
Posts: 38

j94
Joined: May 2014
Posts: 38

.
4/7/2017 at 1:08 PM

This whole thread was completely blown out of proportion. Im not concerned about where I choose to live or am I going to miss work because of this flood.. I was simply asking the question to know what people would do in the event that the roads that have not yet been closed, become closed and may not have another option.Yes there's the option of relocating, I am fully aware of that, but as I said before I can't just pack up my animals and take them to someone's home.. Getting more and more indication that people who are currently not in a flooded situation are very quick to judge. I want to thank those who commented with understanding.
Fishin Guy
Joined: Dec 2005
Posts: 6897

Fishin Guy
Joined: Dec 2005
Posts: 6897

...
4/7/2017 at 1:43 PM

Not going through all the comments but I think you know what you need to do. Since on a farm I know with family they kept all animals in an easy to access area close to the farm yard. Food and water was plenty. Last you need is animals trapped in an area that you cannot get to. Also for yourself keeping the food and water at home stocked up. Ideally it wouldn't hurt to have lots of gas and a generator on hand in case power was cut or something. I know my grandfather due to medical condition was transferred into a hospital temporary as a precaution, so if there are elders in the area that may be affected this might be a thought. And of course letting your employer know the situation. If for some reason an emergency was needed having a boat/canoe on standby wouldn't be a bad thing to have access too just in case.
j94
Joined: May 2014
Posts: 38

j94
Joined: May 2014
Posts: 38

..
4/7/2017 at 2:50 PM

I posted the question in the first stage of worrisome, being as I've never been in this situation until this year. I've got it figured out now and my question is no longer needing answering