Vuntut Gwitchin First Nation declares emergency over flood risk in Old Crow, Yukon
CBC
The Vuntut Gwitchin First Nation (VGFN) has issued a community emergency declaration and travel advisory on Friday evening due to the risk of flooding of the Porcupine River in Old Crow, Yukon this weekend.
The community shared the announcement on social media on Friday evening.
The emergency declaration allows VGFN government to designate local community safety officers, and to access more resources for the joint Yukon Government and VGFN team overseeing emergency operations in the community, according to the announcement.
Old Crow has been on flood watch since Friday afternoon because of the risk of flooding in the Porcupine River during seasonal breakup.
Parts of Old Crow are also on evacuation alert. Zones 1, 2 and 3 of the community are included in the evacuation alert. That means residents in these areas should be prepared to leave their homes according to a Friday news release from the the Yukon Emergency Measures Organization.
"Evacuations will begin if water rises quickly and overtops Dump Road," the release said.
If that happens, flood monitors will go door to door through each zone and notify residents.
"If you are in these zones, you should be ready to leave at a moment's notice," the release said.
When preparing to evacuate, people should prepare an emergency kit, make an evacuation plan and stay clear of the Porcupine and Crow rivers, including riverbanks.
The news release also states that if there is an evacuation, people should register at the reception centre at Chief Zzeh Gittlit School, even if they are not staying there.
Vuntut Gwitchin First Nation has also issued a travel advisory recommending against any non-essential travel to Old Crow while the community is on flood watch.
The First Nation is advising anyone traveling to Old Crow, located north of the Arctic Circle and the territory's only fly-in community, to be prepared to be self-sufficient for at least 72 hours without power or running water.
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