NWT Flood Response Update: May 16, 2022, 17:00pm
Unprecedented flooding Is currently affecting thousands of residents in the Northwest Territories.
- Actions today
- Upcoming priorities for operations
- Key messages for staying safe
- Donations, helping out, and helpful local links
- More information
Current status
Water levels and flow
- NWT Water Monitoring Bulletin – May 16, 2022 (14:00)
Hay River and Kátł’odeeche First Nation
This emergency is transitioning from response to recovery.
Communities remain lead on recovery activities.
Territorial and Regional Emergency Management Organizations are fully activated and providing resources for planning, coordination, and emergency management and recovery operations.
These updates are shared to amplify the latest information.
Contact the Town of Hay River or Kátł’odeeche First Nation for the latest updates on-the-ground.
- Get the latest local updates:
- Town of Hay River – Break-up 2022
- K’atl’odeeche First Nation on Facebook
- Evacuation order has been lifted in Hay River. It remains in-place for Kátł’odeeche First Nation.
- View: Evacuation Order – Kátł’odeeche First Nation
- The airport has reopened to the public. Inspections and repairs occurring on main runway to prepare for reopening.
- A boil water advisory remains in Hay River, Enterprise, Kakisa and Kátł’odeeche First Nation.
- View: Boil water advisory – Hay River, Enterprise, Kakisa and K’atl’odeeche Reserve – May 12, 2022
Disaster assistance registration and support
- Enhanced disaster assistance announced by the GNWT today is now available for those affected in Hay River and Kátł’odeeche First Nation.
- The priority now is registration. GNWT staff are on-site collecting registration from evacuees.
| Community | Venue |
| Enterprise | Community Hall |
| Yellowknife | Multiplex |
| Fort Providence | Snowshoe Inn |
| Fort Smith | Municipal and Community Affairs Office |
| Hay River | Community Centre |
Evacuation centre update
- Note: current numbers in Yellowknife will vary – evacuee return has not yet been reconciled.
- Evacuees from Hay River have begun returning home.
- Evacuation centres will remain available for stays for evacuees without other options if they return to find their homes not habitable.
- Buses will run between Yellowknife and Hay River evacuation centres through Friday.
- The evacuation centre in Hay River is once again operational.
- View the latest: Evacuation Centre Operational Hours
| Evacuation centres | Official hosting communities | Communities offering help and accommodations to evacuees |
|
|
|
Roads
- Highway 1 is now open.
- Highway 2 open to emergency traffic only.
- Highway 5 is open.
- Latest info: Dept. of Infrastructure
Sambaa K’e
- Localized flooding was reported by the community yesterday due to rising water in the lake. The water is receding and initial indications are damage is minor.
Fort Liard
- Reports have been received of seven homes impacted by localized flooding in Fort Liard, with some fuel spills reported and seven individuals displaced.
- Damage assessments are being coordinated by the GNWT with the Hamlet.
Jean Marie River
- Flooding remains a risk in Jean Marie River, though that risk seems to be resolving. Monitoring will continue.
- View the latest updates: Jean Marie River – Facebook
Rest of NWT
Flood risk remains in other areas downstream on the Mackenzie River.
There are some communities at higher risk than others in any break-up year still facing flood risk.
- Nahanni Butte (South Nahanni River, Liard River)
- Fort Liard (Liard River)
- Aklavik (Mackenzie River)
- Fort Good Hope (Mackenzie River)
- Tulita (Mackenzie River)
- Jean Marie River (Mackenzie River)
It’s not too late to take actions to be ready before the water comes. Get simple, practical tips:
- Visit: Be Ready for Floods
Actions today
Hay River and K’at’lodeeche First Nation
- Three buses were arranged to bring evacuees from Yellowknife back to Hay River.
- Pathfinders and government service staff are on-site in Hay River, Yellowknife, Fort Smith, Enterprise, and Fort Providence registering individuals for disaster assistance and providing return home packages.
- Water and sewer specialists deployed to Hay River to assist the Town.
- Food, accommodations, information, and supplies to support evacuees are being coordinated by the Town of Hay River, K’at’lodeeche First Nation and the territorial government.
- GNWT staff are coming forward from across government to volunteer to provide help with the flood response.
Sambaa K’e
- Initial observations indicate some potential damage to homes. Territorial officials are visiting the community to confirm and will work with the community going forward.
Fort Liard
- GNWT’s regional emergency management organization is preparing to visit the community. the Hamlet.
Jean Marie River
- Regional emergency officials are in regular contact with the community’s emergency management team and monitoring conditions.
Upcoming priorities for operations
Hay River and Kátł’odeeche First Nation
- Assisting K’at’lodeeche First Nation as they prepare a re-entry plan.
- Preliminary damage assessments of homes (contractors expected in Hay River this week)
- Emergency abatement work in Hay River (targeted to begin before end of week)
- Investigation options for short, medium, long-term accommodations for evacuees.
- Assessing environmental damage.
- Addressing critical infrastructure issues.
- Preliminary damage assessments of territorial infrastructure and environmental damage – including fuel spills.
- Comprehensive damage assessments to be completed in each community.
- Continued accommodating of evacuees at evacuation centres.
Sambaa K’e
- GNWT staff to be sent to identify any possible damage.
Fort Liard
- Work with community to assist flood-impacted residents.
- Assess damage to territorial infrastructure.
Jean Marie River
- Preparing to assist if required – though risk is believed to be resolving.
Key messages for staying safe
We know there is fear and anxiety out there right now. And that’s totally natural. The best way to channel that anxiety is to take steps to control your risk. The key messages today are:
- If it’s flooded, don’t cross: just six inches of water can sweep a full-grown adult away. Please – avoid crossing flooded areas. Instead, call 9-1-1 and seek help.
- Wherever you are, contact your community government: ensuring evacuees are safe is the priority in an emergency.
- Get to safety: follow instructions from local officials.
- If you’re in trouble: find higher ground and call 9-1-1.
- Conserve your cell phone battery: communication is critical right now.
Donations, helping out, and helpful local links
When trouble comes, Northerners come together. And that’s amazing – but donation overrun can be problematic. Here are the ways we’re recommending you donate and help out:
- Donate cash to United Way: United Way’s flood campaign is endorsed by the Town of Hay River and GNWT. Cash will be able to be put to good use and won’t overrun responders.
- Donate to K’at’lodeeche First Nation GoFundMe: Endorsed by the First Nation (see Facebook post). Donations to help with community recovery.
- Businesses services listing (Hay River): Hay River community members have compiled a list of businesses open and information about service levels.
- Hay River Helps: community members are currently working together to coordinate needs for evacuees.
- Caremongering Yellowknife: Facebook group currently connecting folks with help they need
More information
- Town of Hay River Break-up Updates
- Daily water monitoring bulletins
- GNWT Public Safety web page – Program and service updates, evacuation orders, and other safety information
- Environment Canada – Hay River
- Flood Recovery 2022 – What You Need To Know
NT5
This article comes from NationTalk:
https://nationtalk.ca
The permalink for this story is:
https://nationtalk.ca/story/nwt-flood-response-update-may-16-2022-1700pm
Comments are closed.
