NWT Flood Response Update: May 18, 2022, 16:00pm

Unprecedented flooding is currently affecting thousands of residents in the Northwest Territories.

• Current status
• Actions today
• Key messages for staying safe
• Donations, helping out, and helpful local links
• Register for disaster assistance
• Get help with disaster assistance
• More information

Current status

Water levels and flow

• Water monitoring technical bulletin – May 18, 2022

The Hay River and Kátł’odeeche First Nation emergency has transitioned from response to recovery.

Communities are the lead on response and recovery activities and are supported by the GNWT as needed.

Territorial and Regional Emergency Management Organizations are activated and providing resources for planning, coordination, and emergency management and recovery operations.

These updates are shared to amplify the latest information.

• Get the latest local updates:
  • Town of Hay River – Break-up 2022
  • K’atl’odeeche First Nation on Facebook

• Evacuation orders have been lifted in Hay River and Kátł’odeeche First Nation. All residents are now permitted to return to their communities.

• The airport has reopened to the public. Inspections and repairs occurring on the main runway.
• 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 is now available for those affected in Hay River and Kátł’odeeche First Nation.
• All affected residents are encouraged to register to begin this process. GNWT staff are on-site at the following locations to assist with completing the required form(s) to apply for disaster assistance:

Community	Venue
Yellowknife	Multiplex
Fort Smith	Municipal and Community Affairs Office
Hay River	Community Centre

Evacuation centre update

• Evacuees from Hay River and Kátł’odeeche First Nation have begun returning home.
• Buses will run between Yellowknife and Hay River evacuation centres, departing from Yellowknife Multiplex daily at 8am.

Roads

• Highway 1 from kilometre 236-238 is open to one-lane traffic
• Hwy 1 km 56 – one lane traffic
• Hwy 1 km 80 – one lane traffic with Highway Transport Officers escorting vehicles
• Hwy 2 to Vale island open to km 47.8, which remains closed to local and emergency vehicles only
• Lafferty ferry on Liard River to Ft Simpson is operational but remains closed due to high water and debris
  • Latest info: Dept. of Infrastructure

Rest of NWT

Flood risk remains in other areas downstream on the Mackenzie River.

There are some communities that remain at higher risk of flooding than others.

• Nahanni Butte (South Nahanni River, Liard River)
• Fort Liard (Liard River)
• Aklavik (Mackenzie River)
• Fort Good Hope (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

• There are GNWT hired contractors that have arrived in Hay River and K’at’lodeeche First Nation to begin assessment work.

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

Register for disaster assistance

• NWT Disaster Assistance Registration Forms (pdf)
  • Residents
  • Small business/organizations

Get help with disaster assistance

Pathfinders are GNWT employees who guide individuals through GNWT processes related to disaster recovery. To reach out to a Pathfinder, contact:

• (867) 767-9161 ext. 21031
• flood@gov.nt.ca

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

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