Residents of Paradise Gardens have been ordered to evacuate due to flood risk, according to a Sunday notice from the Town of Hay River.
The municipality sent out of the notice via its Facebook page at 5 p.m., stating that people living in the area should make their way to the Hay River Community Centre to register their names or call 833-699-0188, or use the online registration form at .
The order follows the townSA国际影视传媒檚 notices over the weekend ordering people in Vale Island and the West Channel to leave for safer accommodations as flood water and ice pour into those neighbourhoods.
The town is advising people in Paradise Gardens to relocate to homes of friends and family; to an RV park provided at the community centre; to the townSA国际影视传媒檚 evacuation centre at the arena, where a cot and blanket will be provided with some food; or commercial accommodations, like a hotel.
Mayor Kandis Jameson called the flooding conditions throughout the town unprecedented, much worse than last year and the worst she has ever seen.
She pointed out that the weekend has been challenging, with a power outage taking place on Friday night on top of freezing rain and a snowstorm throughout most of the weekend while the river was breaking up.
SA国际影视传媒淢other NatureSA国际影视传媒檚 fickle and water goes to the path of least resistance, but letSA国际影视传媒檚 be honest, this isnSA国际影视传媒檛 what we were expecting,SA国际影视传媒� Jameson said. SA国际影视传媒淟ast year, we got really lucky because it didnSA国际影视传媒檛 affect a whole bunch of people because of where (water and ice) went out. But this year everybody is affected on Vale Island right now.
SA国际影视传媒淚SA国际影视传媒檝e never seen (the water) this high. I can see it behind my house and itSA国际影视传媒檚 never been this high or as high as last year with the last push.SA国际影视传媒�
Jameson repeated the townSA国际影视传媒檚 message on Sunday that itSA国际影视传媒檚 important for everyone to get off the island as the top priority for the municipality is to protect residents and assets.
SA国际影视传媒淚 was down there on 100, 101, and 102 (streets) and they look like rivers,SA国际影视传媒� she said. SA国际影视传媒淭hereSA国际影视传媒檚 a lot of waterSA国际影视传媒� this week we still have a lot of water coming at us, and ice.SA国际影视传媒�
While some of the island homes are still on high ground, the concern is when more water comes in, it will make it difficult to get out of the area, especially as the Mackenzie Highway is washed out.
SA国际影视传媒淥nce youSA国际影视传媒檙e surrounded by water, you canSA国际影视传媒檛 come and go as you might like,SA国际影视传媒� the mayor said, noting that even if people hunker down with groceries for a week, there could be instances where the town could turn the power off as needed and staying in home may be unwise.
SA国际影视传媒淭he houses themselves are doing fine, but not their yards, by any means. ItSA国际影视传媒檚 just not good.
SA国际影视传媒淲e would prefer that people find alternate arrangements. That is the message and a very strong one.SA国际影视传媒�
Town officials were expected to debrief on Monday morning, Jameson added.
Chris Shaver, owner of Northern Greens on 102 Street in Old Town, and his partner Nicolinea are going through their first spring breakup season.
He said he had expected to ride out the flood by staying on Vale Island with his business while the rest of his family stayed at Ptarmigan Inn. While water appeared to peak overnight on Saturday, he said by Sunday he conceded it was no longer possible to stay put.
SA国际影视传媒淔rom what I hear from town and community centre, the ice is backed up past Paradise Gardens and at record levels,SA国际影视传媒� he said. SA国际影视传媒淭hey donSA国际影视传媒檛 think this is going to end very well.SA国际影视传媒�
ShaverSA国际影视传媒檚 home sits about two metres off the ground and at the height of Saturday nightSA国际影视传媒檚 flooding, water reached the crawlspace, where a pump has been working, he said.
While water conditions were tolerable by Sunday, Shaver said if conditions worsen, there arenSA国际影视传媒檛 many options to leave the location.
