YELLOWKNIFE (MAY 15, 2022; 20:30pm) -- The Town of Hay River has announced residents can return to Town to assess their properties.
While this announcement does allow all evacuees to return home, there will unfortunately be many homes which are not habitable – even in less-affected areas.
What we’re doing
The Government of the Northwest Territories is deploying buses to help get individuals from evacuation centres back to the Town if they wish.
There will be many evacuees waiting to return – so please be patient – it will take time to accommodate everyone who wishes to go.
In the meantime, our team will continue to provide for evacuees’ needs.
Things you should know
- We understand the Hay River Reception Centre is currently not operational. This means there is limited options for accommodations in Hay River. Please keep this in mind when planning your return.
- If you are aware that your home is currently not safe to return to, you can stay at an evacuation centre.
- If you do return to Town, realize your home is uninhabitable, and are unable to find other accommodations, you may return to the evacuation centre you were at.
- Evacuees will register with the evacuation centre’s reception team at the Yellowknife evacuation centre for space on a bus.
- We recommend one person be sent from each household where possible to assess your homes before other household members return.
- GNWT Pathfinders will be positioned in the region to assist residents with the disaster assistance application process beginning tomorrow. Pathfinders can be contacted at flood@gov.nt.ca or by calling (867) 767-9161 ext. 21031.
- Once they are in position, phone numbers will be provided.
- For information regarding what to do when you get home, visit: https://www.maca.gov.nt.ca/en/services/be-ready-emergencies/after-flood
Things to do to prepare
- If you can, call ahead to family or friends who are in the Town right now and see if they can check on the condition of your home before you return. You may want to consider staying put if you know your home is not habitable.
- Call your insurance company and begin discussing how to best navigate claims and repairs.
Once you’re there
- You may go and assess the post-flood condition of your home.
- If your home is not habitable, you have a few options:
- Call 1-833-699-0188
- Arrange for another place to stay (friends, family, hotel, etc)
- Return to the evacuation centre if there is no other option.
Insurance
- If you have insurance, call your insurance company and begin the process of making a claim. Document all the damage as best you can. Seek next steps for completing emergency work.
- Keep all receipts – you will need them for insurance.
- Certain items not covered by insurance may be eligible for disaster assistance.
Assessments, emergency work, and insurance
The GNWT and Town of Hay River are doing preliminary damage assessments in parts of Town which are accessible.
Once those preliminary damage assessments are done, emergency work and mould abatement will need to be completed to protect the integrity of structures as much as possible.
This service will be available for both private and public housing; Housing NWT is making arrangements for public housing.
Some important points:
- Each resident has a choice for whether the emergency work is completed by insurance contractors or if you do not have insurance by the GNWT hired contractors or by the homeowner.
- Emergency work may be covered by the GNWT if it is not already covered by insurance or other funding.
- No matter what, residents should keep a log, on paper or electronically, of what work they have done, the cost, and keep documentation like receipts, photographs, and videos of work done wherever possible. Whether it is for insurance or disaster assistance, this will make the process easier.
The territorial government is currently arranging for those contractors to be on-the-ground this week to get going on damage assessments and emergency work.
From there, the longer-term process of rebuilding will continue. It will take some time for some of the more severely damaged areas of Town to be assessed and addressed.
Updates on disaster recovery are coming soon.
What About K'atl'odeeche First Nation
The Government of the Northwest Territories is in contact with K'atl'odeeche First Nation every day. The message from the community is that it is still unsafe to return. As soon as it is safe, the GNWT will do what it takes to help K'atl'odeeche First Nation evacuees return home safely.
Attribution
Mike Westwick, Information Officer, NWT Emergency Management Organization.
For more information
Mike Westwick
Information Officer
NWT Emergency Management Organization
Municipal and Community Affairs
Government of the Northwest Territories