Destroyed boats and lost docks are just some of the damages suffered by the residents of "Whiteshell" after floodwaters forced many to evacuate the area.

"Heather" and "Roy Howie" had been battling floodwaters in their home near Dorothy Lake for weeks.

Heather said: "I don't like using the word shocking, but the reason is that this has been going on for over a month." The waters began to rise in early May. The couple was forced to evacuate after floodwaters cut off access to the area.

The waters have since begun to recede, and the county temporarily opened Highway 307, allowing the Howies to return to their homes.

The water damaged the backyard, the observation deck, and boat launches. They also have to remove hundreds of sandbags. Heather said: "The cleanup process will be very slow.

It will be very hard physical work, and I think we will do it every day until the existing destruction is removed," a county official told CTV News Winnipeg, stating that they have also begun cleaning on their part to bring life back to the area.

The Whiteshell Cottagers Association said many cabin residents were left paying out of pocket for damages because most insurance does not cover floods, and cabins were excluded from relief funds.

Ian Parager, the association president, said: "It's a real tragedy for people," and Heather added: "Since we are not a municipality, there is no emergency plan in place, which I find really surprising because this is a river system managed through several dams."