Sécurité publique - Public Safety

NWT Flood Response Update: May 14, 2022, 18:26pm

Public Safety Bulletin

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

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Current status

Water levels and flow

Highway 1

  • Currently open with advisory Flooding between km 236 and 238. Road closures are possible.

Hay River and Kátł’odeeche First Nation

Both communities remain unsafe to return to. Major damage has occurred to critical infrastructure and basic services are unavailable. Returning will cause challenges for recovery and response workers.  

Communities remain lead on response activities.

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

Evacuation centre update

Evacuation centres

Official hosting communities

Communities offering help to evacuees
  • Hay River Community Centre
  • Yellowknife Multiplex
    • 603 total evacuees registered
      • 234 staying at reception centre
      • 369 elsewhere

 
  • Fort Smith
    • 85 evacuees
  • Enterprise
    • 107 evacuees
  • Fort Providence
    • 87 evacuees
  • Fort Resolution
  • Fort Simpson

 
  • No matter where you’ve chosen to go or are planning on staying, all Hay River residents should register by calling 1-833-699-0188 or visiting an evacuation centre. 
  • The Hay River Health Centre is not currently under threat. It is being closely monitored.
  • The airport is open for emergency services. Paved runway remains closed due to ice.
  • Highway 2 remains closed.  All highways continue to be monitored due to high water. Kakisa Access road washed out overnight. Highways 1 and 5 are open.
  • Reports of power lines being down in both communities.
  • A boil water advisory remains in Hay River, Enterprise, Kakisa and Kátł’odeeche First Nation.
  • Some fuel spills have been reported in the area. Assessments are beginning as part of overall damage assessments. Some areas remain inaccessible.

Fort Liard

  • Reports have been received of seven homes impacted by localized flooding in Fort Liard, with some fuel spills reported and seven individuals affected.
  • Damage assessments are being coordinated by the GNWT with the Hamlet.

Jean Marie River

  • Flooding remains a risk in Jean Marie River. The Territorial government stands ready to assist where necessary.

Rest of NWT

  • Flood risk remains in other areas downstream on the Mackenzie.
  • There are some communities at higher risk than others in any break-up year with are 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)
  • Territorial government is in regular contact with all emergency management organizations in flood risk communities and stand ready to assist.
  • It’s not too late to take some actions to be ready before the water comes.

Actions today

Highway 1

  • Staff from GNWT working to address flooding and maintain the highway.

Hay River and K’at’lodeeche First Nation

  • Filling resource requests from Town of Hay River for pumps to deal with urgent water issues and additional staff capacity.
  • Continued efforts to restore power and other essential services.
  • Continued damage assessments.
  • Food, accommodations, information, and supplies to support evacuees are being coordinated by the Town of Hay River and the territorial government.
  • GNWT staff are coming forward from across government to volunteer to provide help with the flood response.

Fort Liard

  • A request for assistance has been received to assist the Hamlet in responding to the needs of seven individuals affected by localized flooding. We will be coordinating assistance and damage assessment with the Hamlet.  

Jean Marie River

  • Regional emergency officials are in regular contact with the community’s emergency management team and stands ready to assist.
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Upcoming priorities for operations

Hay River and Kátł’odeeche First Nation

  • Addressing critical infrastructure issues.
  • Comprehensive damage assessments to be completed on each community.
  • Ensuring capacity remains manageable at evacuation centres.
  • Get the Hay River airport running at full capacity once again.
  • Preliminary damage assessments of territorial infrastructure and environmental damage – including fuel spills.
  • Continued accommodating of evacuees at evacuation centres.

Fort Liard

  • Work with community in assisting flood-impacted residents.
  • Assess damage to territorial infrastructure.

Jean Marie River

  • Preparing to assist if required. 
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Returning home

Unfortunately, we do not yet know when folks will be able to go home. Responders are working very hard to get there. Everyone will learn more in the coming days.

Thousands are away from home right now – and that’s really hard. But please – listen to instructions from local officials about when to return.

That’s the surest way to stay as safe as possible.

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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 it: 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.
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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:

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More information

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