Be Ready: For floods

Flood season typically begins in late April in the NWT. Many communities are located along rivers and lakes, which means there’s a potential for flooding every year.

Know the risks, protect your property, and Be Ready.
> Download the Be Ready for Floods Planning Workbook.

Contents
Flooding in the NWT

When flood risk is highest

Communities at highest risk

Be Ready for Floods

Flooding in the NWT

Major flooding events have caused large-scale evacuations and major damage to NWT communities.

The risk of flooding in communities is highest during spring break-up when ice moves unpredictably through rivers. An ice jam happens when chunks of ice clump together to block the flow of a river. This can cause flooding in communities near the river.

Risk of floods increase when water levels are higher. Higher water levels can be caused by high rainfall, snowfall, soil that is oversaturated with moisture, or from events in other provinces and territories. Extreme storms may also cause flooding.

When flood risk is highest

Flood risk is highest during spring break-up when ice moves unpredictably through a river during thaw. However, floods can happen any time due to severe weather.

Communities, businesses, residents, cabin owners, and those with camps on-the-land should be on alert from late April until late June.

Communities at highest risk

Some communities are at higher risk than others for flooding. These communities include:

Hay River (Hay River)
Kátł’odeeche (Hay River)
Nahanni Butte (South Nahanni River, Liard River)
Fort Liard (Liard River)
Fort Simpson (Liard River, Mackenzie River)
Aklavik (Mackenzie River)
Fort Good Hope (Mackenzie River)
Tulita (Mackenzie River)
Jean Marie River (Mackenzie River)