On Friday, June 8th, rising water levels in the Liard River caused a flood in the community of Nahanni Butte. Most residents of the community were evacuated to Fort Simpson, where they remain. The GNWT is currently assessing conditions in the community to determine when it will be safe for residents to return to their homes. On Monday, June 18, Deputy Premier Jackson Lafferty will visit Nahanni Butte and meet with evacuees in Fort Simpson.
Municipal and Community Affairs (MACA)
GNWT officials visited Nahanni Butte today to assess conditions in the community, survey the scope of any damage, and determine if it is safe to return residents to the community. Based on the assessment, MACA does not recommend residents return to the community and it is likely they will remain in Fort Simpson for several more days.
Up-river from Nahanni Butte, flood waters have begun to rapidly recede and it is expected that they will continue to do so over the weekend. MACA personnel will continue to monitor water levels through in-person visits and by communicating with residents who chose to not evacuate.
Once a more thorough assessment of damage in Nahanni Butte is complete, MACA will work with the community government of Nahanni Butte to determine whether this event will qualify for funds under the Disaster Assistance Policy.
Once it is safe to return to the community, transportation will be arranged for evacuees and MACA will work with the community government and other partners to help ease the transition for residents.
Transportation (DOT)
Operations of the Johnny Berens ferry at the N’Dulee ferry crossing on the road to Wrigley have resumed. Rebuilding of the landings at the Liard ferry crossing near Fort Simpson (Lafferty ferry) has begun, and operations of the ferry are expected to resume in the next 20-30 hours. Restrictions on some vehicles types such as motor homes and super B trucks may be required until water levels return to normal.
The advisory on travel on Highway #7 (the Liard Highway) is lifted. Travellers on Highway #7 can still expect soft roads, reduced speed limits in sections, and sections of road reduced to a single lane due to very soft conditions. Traffic is restricted to vehicles weighing less than 4500 kg. fully loaded. Road bans are in place throughout the Fort Simpson region.
Kevin Brezinski, Director of Public Safety with the Department of Municipal and Community Affairs, will be available for media interviews from 1:30 PM to 3:30 PM on Tuesday, June 19th. To organize an interview, contact David Maguire, Communications and Web Advisor, at 920-3092.
For more information:
Shaun Dean
Press Secretary
Government of the Northwest Territories
Phone: (867) 669-2304
David Maguire
Communications and Web Advisor
Municipal and Community Affairs
Government of the Northwest Territories
Phone: (867) 920-3092
Issued: June 15, 2011 at 2:30 p.m. – Updates will be issued as the situation demands