Territorial Emergency Management
Flood Season in the NWT
In the NWT, damaging floods can occur during the spring breakup period as a result of ice jams. Spring breakup starts in April in the southern region of the Mackenzie River, and works its way northward, and is completed in about ten weeks. The following nine NWT communities are considered as flood risk areas:
- Hay River;
- Fort Simpson;
- Fort Liard;
- Nahanni Butte;
- Tulita;
- Fort Good Hope;
- Fort McPherson;
- Aklavik; and
- Tuktoyaktuk.
Tips for Flood Season
Emergency preparedness starts with you! If you live in a flood risk area, you can take steps to reduce your flood risk and damage. Here are 10 tips to remember during flood season:
- Contact your local Community Government for information on what to do during a flood.
- During flood season, listen to the news to know the current emergency conditions.
- Prepare an emergency survival kit.
- Move furniture, electrical appliances and everything else that you own from areas that may be flooded.
- Remove toxic substances such as pesticides, insecticides, and chemicals from areas that may be flooded to avoid pollution.
- Have a battery-powered radio with spare batteries.
- Evacuate your home when emergency authorities tell you to.
- Shut off utilities before evacuating your home.
- If you evacuate, register with the emergency centre or advise authorities where you are going so they know you will not need to be rescued.
- If you are using your vehicle, try to avoid driving through flood waters.
Links & Resources
72-Hour Emergency Preparedness Guide
What to do During an Emergency