The Town of Hay River issued a community-wide evacuation order Wednesday night, at 11 p.m.
Leadership is asking all residents evacuating to register at the community centre, call 1-833-699-0188, or using the online form.
Residents have begun leaving for other communities. Those going to Yellowknife should go to the Multiplex on Kam Lake Road. CKLB has seen messages on social media saying others have left for northern Alberta. Others have made their way to Enterprise.
The town issued another update at 8 a.m. on Thursday saying another push of ice was making its way through the community.
“Any residents still in the community should be on high ground or take shelter at the Community Centre,” reads the update.
Premier Caroline Cochrane and Shane Thompson, minister of municipal and community affairs, issued a joint statement Thursday morning.
“To the residents of Hay River and Kátł’odeeche First Nation, we see you and we know that these are incredibly challenging times for you,” it reads. It goes on to say the government is “committed to ensuring your safety and to providing the support you need.”
It adds, “This is also a stark reminder that the impacts of climate change will continue to challenge the resiliency of Northerners and the communities we all live in. This isn’t the first time our communities and residents have been put to the test by flooding, and sadly, it won’t be the last.”
Recovery fundraiser
The United Way has started collecting funds to put towards recovery.
The organization said the funds collected with “go towards ensuring that those affected by flooding will get the short-term and long-term help they need.”
United Way says it has partnered with the GNWT to match funds up to $150,000.
Residents go donate here, or through the Yellowknife Co-op.
Updated May 12 at 12:30 p.m. with information on fundraiser.
