The spring breakup is causing minor to moderate flooding. While the Emergency Response Planning Team monitors water levels, it is important for you to keep enjoying your daily routine.
Response actions
- Experts are monitoring water melt levels. The Porcupine River peaked yesterday and has since dropped. Warmer weather this week will make it go up again, but it isn’t expected to be higher than it was yesterday.
- Snowmelt is causing high water levels which could keep rising at the sewage lagoon. Access to the dump and sewage lagoon have been restored, but it will be closed for part of today for more work to happen. Waste services are back to normal. However, this could change if water levels keep rising.
- The Ski Chalet Road has about 12 inches of water caused by mountain runoff. Responders are in contact with homeowners along North Road about the chances that rising water could threaten their utilities and require them to evacuate. They were offered help if they must evacuate.
- Flood monitors are off duty today and their need will be re-assessed this evening.
How you can prepare for flooding
- We need to create less sewage water to limit sewage lagoon issues. Use less water. Use taps and flush toilets less, take shorter and fewer showers, and only do laundry when necessary.
- A resident’s guide to preparing for the flood is available at the community hall, admin building, and the Co-op.
- Keep boats out of the river. Ice from the Crow, Bell and Upper Porcupine rivers still needs to flow down the river.
- Stay well away from moving water and ice and keep children safely away.
- Check the Vuntut Gwitchin Government Facebook page for updates.
- Prepare an emergency kit with enough supplies for 72 hours.
Potential evacuation outreach methods
Old Crow evacuation zones 1, 2 and 3 are under an evacuation alert. Be ready to leave at a moment’s notice. The Emergency Response Planning Team will tell you if you need to leave by going door to door, playing sirens, and posting on the Vuntut Gwitchin Government Facebook page.
Contact
For flood information, please call Mike Fancie, public information officer, at 867-332-1928.