Fort Simpson Mayor Sean Whelly said SA国际影视传媒渢he streets are getting quietSA国际影视传媒� as residents have begun evacuating the island.

The four minute siren signalling evacuation sounded at approximately 3 p.m. Sunday afternoon as the water levels hit 15 metres.

Police officers are going door-to-door telling residents itSA国际影视传媒檚 time to pack up, and ensuring residents all have the same message SA国际影视传媒� services canSA国际影视传媒檛 be guaranteed on the island. SA国际影视传媒淎 lot of things are going to be shutting down if they havenSA国际影视传媒檛 already,SA国际影视传媒� Whelly said.

For the most part, residents are encouraged to evacuate to the campgrounds up the hill near RoweSA国际影视传媒檚 Construction.

At the site, residents will be provided food, water and port-o-potties for what Whelly calls community supported camping.

SA国际影视传媒淲eSA国际影视传媒檙e going to try to take care of people who we know may not be fully prepared.SA国际影视传媒�

While the village received 50 tents to give out to residents, Whelly said residents with extra tents are asked to step forward.

For those who are unprepared to camp, Whelly said 25 residents have already been flown to Fort Smith where they are lodging in the townSA国际影视传媒檚 arena.

As they brave SA国际影视传媒渁nother unprecedented event,SA国际影视传媒� Fort Smith Coun. Mike Couvrette told SA国际影视传媒 that he and the town extend their welcome to Fort Simpson residents.

The councillors had been notified at a meeting Tuesday that the town was designated as an evacuation point and put out a call for volunteers to host, prepare meals and serve their in-coming guests.

While the town would normally house the evacuated Fort Simpson residents in the Fort Smith recreation centre, Couvrette said cots are instead set-up in the arena in order to adhere to proper social distancing measures and continue to be mindful of COVID-19.

Whelly anticipates more will look to evacuate to Fort Smith, though many are waiting until the eleventh hour since SA国际影视传媒渢he water usually sneaks up, and sneaks up and then lets out at the last minute,SA国际影视传媒� Whelly said, SA国际影视传媒渂ut we saw it going over 15 (meters) and had to make the call.SA国际影视传媒�

The last time Fort Simpson had a full evacuation like this one was 1963. In 1989, Whelly describes getting close but the water SA国际影视传媒渓etting goSA国际影视传媒� before evacuation was necessary.

Judging by water patterns in the past, Whelly said the evacuation could be as brief as a few hours, though the town is prepared to evacuate for at least two or three days with as many services as they can provide.

As water levels continue creeping higher, Whelly said some businesses are starting to endure water damage, though itSA国际影视传媒檚 hard to say to what extent.

The houses, he said, are still mostly safe from water damage, though the rise in water pressure is causing backups through the sewer system.

The main concern, however, SA国际影视传媒渋s that we just got to get people out of here,SA国际影视传媒� Whelly said.

SA国际影视传媒淚tSA国际影视传媒檚 not widespread yet but its pretty close to where people are going to start getting hurt on their property.SA国际影视传媒�