Sécurité publique - Public Safety

NWT Flood Response Update: May 27, 2022, 17:00pm

Public Safety Bulletin

*Unless there are significant changes in current conditions, the next update will be Monday, May 30th.

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

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Current status

Water levels and flow

https://www.enr.gov.nt.ca/en/newsroom/nwt-water-monitoring-bulletin-may-27-2022

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.

Assessments are now underway in Hay River and Kátł’odeeche First Nation. . All impacted residents are strongly encouraged to register as soon as possible so that they can be included in the current assessment work. Please contact GNWT Pathfinders in the community, or by email: flood@gov.nt.ca or by phone at (867) 767-9161 ext. 21031. This registration is recommended to anyone who has property impacted regardless of insurance status so that the assessments can take place. 

Disaster Assistance registration and support

  • Enhanced disaster assistance announced by the GNWT is available for those affected in Hay River and Kátł’odeeche First Nation.
  • All impacted residents are strongly encouraged to register as soon as possible so that they can be included in the current assessment work. Please contact GNWT Pathfinders in the community, or by email: flood@gov.nt.ca or by phone at (867) 767-9161 ext. 21031.  This registration is recommended to anyone who has property impacted regardless of insurance status so that the assessments can take place. 

Roads

  • GNWT staff are monitoring all highways in the South Slave region. For highway conditions visit: https://www.dot.gov.nt.ca/Highways/Highway-Conditions
    • Highway 1 from kilometre 236-238 is open to one-lane traffic 
    • Highway 1 at kilometre 84 (Escarpment Creek) is open to one-lane traffic.
    • Highway 1 at kilometre 236-238 is open to one-lane traffic.
  • GNWT staff are assessing GNWT assets for potential damage due to flooding – including assessing electrical systems in flood damaged buildings with Northland Utilities.
  • The GNWT Driver and Vehicle Services office is open and operating under regular hours – 9 a.m. – 5 p.m. Fees are being waived for anyone who has lost their NWT driver’s licence or NWT General Identification Card in the flood. Identification will be re-issued for those who may not have back-up documentation at this time.
  • Driver examinations in Hay River are currently cancelled. Anyone who has booked an examination is asked to contact the Driver and Vehicle Service office in Hay River and re-book the appointment.
  • GNWT staff are monitoring conditions at the Mackenzie River Marine camp om Highway 8 at kilometre 142 where the MV Louis Cardinal ferry is located due to high water.
     

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)

It’s not too late to take actions to be ready before the water comes. Get simple, practical tips:

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Actions today

Hay River and K’at’lodeeche First Nation

  • GNWT hired contractors continue assessment work in Hay River and K’at’lodeeche First Nation.
  • All impacted residents are strongly encouraged to register as soon as possible so that they can be included in the assessment work going on this week. Please contact GNWT Pathfinders in the community, or by email: flood@gov.nt.ca or by phone at (867) 767-9161 ext. 21031.  This registration is recommended to anyone who has property impacted regardless of insurance status so that the assessments can take place. 
     

Initial Environmental Contamination Assessments in Hay River and K’atlo’deeche First Nation

The basics

  • The flooding in Hay River and the K’atlo’deeche First Nation (KFN) has left behind observed incidents of actual and potential environmental contamination.
  • It is important we learn where damage has or may have happened and the extent of the contamination to help us identify the next steps.

What we’re doing

  • We have officers on-the-ground completing an initial assessment of actual and potential environmental contamination in Hay River and the KFN reserve.
  • This work involves a visual inspection of both public and private properties including all residential, commercial, industrial, and municipal properties in Hay River and the KFN reserve.  Our officers will be looking for any signs of contamination including visible staining on the ground, fuel smells, and the state of fuel tanks. They will also be taking photos, GPS locations, and notes related to the properties.

What that means for residents/businesses/organizations

  • This means that officers will require access to your property to investigate possible spills and environmental damage.
  • Please be cooperative and patient – this is critical work for protecting our environment.

Extent of damage

  • This work is being done to determine the scope of the damage.
  • What we do know is that 13 fuel spills have been reported to the 24-Hour Spill Line in Hay River and the KFN reserve to date that are related to the flood.
  • From initial assessments on-the-ground, the contamination is expected to be widespread – but not insurmountable.

What’s next

  • Over the next few weeks, the GNWT will continue to conduct initial spill assessments of properties in Hay River and KFN.
  • Once this initial work is completed, we will have a better understanding of the number of properties that are impacted and/or potentially impacted by contamination. At this time, we will determine next steps depending on land tenure.
  • For contamination on public lands and GNWT properties, we will execute a plan to clean up the sites. 
  • If you know that there is a spill on your property as a result of the flooding, report it to the 24-Hour Spill Line at (867) 920-8130.

Contamination, disaster assistance, and insurance

  • We do not know at this point just how many public or private properties may be affected by environmental contamination. The work described above will help to clarify this.
  • For now, the message for folks affected in Hay River and KFN is this:
  • If you know that there is a spill on your property as a result of the flooding, report it to the 24-Hour Spill Line at (867) 920-8130.
  • Contact your insurance provider to learn about what may be covered should it be necessary.
  • Next, get registered for disaster assistance. There may be assistance available for you.
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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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