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NWT Emergency Response Update – 17:00pm

Press Release

Communities remain lead on response activities. Territorial and Regional Emergency Management Organizations are fully activated and providing resources for planning, coordination, and support to community emergency management operations.

Current status – Rising water levels

Fort McPherson – Rising water levels

  • The community declared a State of Local Emergency on May 16 due to rising water levels.
  • The local EMO is activated and is meeting regularly with stakeholders.
  • Road access to the airport is now closed.
  • Residential water tanks have been filled and tankers are full of water, if required.
  • Mental health services are available to residents through the health centre, and ongoing care for home care clients will continue.
  • Highway 8 is closed between km 72 and km 84 due to flooding.

Aklavik – Rising water levels

  • Water levels have risen gradually as of this morning, but are not currently considered a threat. Water level monitoring is in place.

Current status – Wildfire response

Hay River and Kátł’odeeche First Nation – Wildfire response

Communities remain lead on response activities. Territorial and Regional Emergency Management Organizations are fully activated and providing resources for planning, coordination, and support to community emergency management operations.

For the latest, most accurate emergency information, continue checking www.gov.nt.ca/public-safety and listen to your Community Government.

Get the latest community updates:

Wildfire Status

Evacuation orders

  • Evacuation orders are in-place for the entire Town of Hay River and Kátł’odeeche First Nation. Everyone must leave.
  • An Evacuation Centre has been established at the Yellowknife Multiplex. You must register upon arrival at the Yellowknife Multiplex.
  • Highway 2 is closed north of the junction of Highways 2 and 5, south of Hay River. For the latest information, please refer to the Highway Conditions Map.
  • The Hay River airport is closed until further notice.

Actions today

Emergency Management Organization (EMO) Activation:

  • The Territorial, South Slave and North Slave Emergency Management Organizations (EMO) have been activated.
  • The EMO is in regular communication with and providing ongoing support to the communities of Hay River and the Kátł’odeeche First Nation for wildfires.
  • The EMO is in regular communication with the local EMO of Ft. McPherson and Aklavik.

Wildfires Recovery Pathfinder:

  • If you need to speak to a pathfinder about the 2023 Kátł’odeeche and Hay River Fire please contact Ian Legaree at 867-767-9161 ext. 21034. Please leave a voice message and you will receive a call back.

Access to Healthcare Services for Evacuees:

  • A Hay River family physician is currently in Yellowknife and has been designated to ensure access to urgent needs such as prescription refills for evacuees.
  • Displaced individuals can access phone consultations by calling 867-767-9294 or 867-767-9125. Individuals are encouraged to identify as evacuees so we may direct their calls appropriately.
  • We expect high call volumes for this service, so we ask all residents to have patience when calling.
  • For non-urgent health advice and information needs, residents can call 8-1-1 free-of-charge to speak to a registered nurse, 24/7.

Evacuation Accommodations:

  • An Evacuation Centre at the Yellowknife Multiplex has been established. Services include:
    • evacuee registration,
    • cots,
    • food service,
    • onsite first aid and mental health supports,
    • how to access health and social services, and
    • addressing questions like how to get prescriptions.
  • Camping: Camping is available for evacuees.
    • Except for the Hay River Territorial Park (which is in the evacuation zone), all parks in the South Slave Region are open today (May 15) and available to evacuees free of charge on a first-come first-serve basis.
      • For South Slave Parks, contact Marc Schmitz, Manager Parks South Slave – marc_schmitz@gov.nt.ca or call 867-875-7569.
      • Limited spaces are also available in North Slave parks until Friday, May 19. For North Slave parks, contact Heidi Kane, Manager Parks Operations and Facilities – Heidi_kane@gov.nt.ca or call 867-446-4306.
  • Some additional hosting is being arranged in Fort Providence as needed but the primary Evacuation Centre is the Yellowknife Multiplex.

Priorities for operations tomorrow

  • Continued accommodating of evacuees at the Evacuation Centre in Yellowknife.
  • Continued monitoring of wildfire to assure safety of evacuees.
  • Continued assistance to the Town of Hay River, Kátł’odeeche First Nation and partner agencies in response.
  • Continued monitoring of water levels, and communications with Fort McPherson and Aklavik.

Staying safe in an emergency

The emergency response underway in K’atl’odeeche and Hay River is a rapidly changing situation.

Key messages for today are:

  • Do not return to the evacuated area of Kátł’odeeche First Nation and Hay River. Do not attempt to travel to these areas. Avoid the area, it is not safe to return, and will not be safe to return for a while.
  • Evacuate Now. If you are in Hay River, leave now. Responders may not be able to rescue everyone who gets stuck.
  • Highway 2 is closed north of the Highways 2 and 5 junction (kms 32 to 49). Travel to and from Fort Resolution and Fort Smith is unaffected by this closure. Highways 1, 5 and the rest of 2 remain open, but may have poor visibility and smoke.
  • Highway 8 is closed between km 72 and km 84 due to flooding.
  • Follow trusted verified information. Follow all instructions from your local community government.

For the latest, most accurate emergency information, continue checking for updates with your local community government and visit www.gov.nt.ca/public-safety.

Donations and helping out

Many people are asking how they can help support Hay River and Kátł’odeeche evacuees.  Here is some information on donations.

  • Monetary donations are being accepted by United Way NWT: https://nwt.unitedway.ca/fires/
  • Gift cards are accepted at the Yellowknife Evacuation Centre at the Multiplex; however financial donations to United Way serve a similar purpose and are easier to coordinate for those delivering services at the Evacuation Centre.
  • Physical goods can be dropped at the Yellowknife Salvation Army Thrift Shop and labeled: Fire Relief.
  • Food: at the current time we are not accepting donations of food at the evacuation reception centre (Yellowknife Multiplex).

More information

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