Questions over the long-time viability of NWT communities following major natural disaster events in the Northwest Territories will mostly be left up to municipalities and individuals, GNWT officials said this week.

Chief April Martel of the KSA¹ú¼ÊÓ°ÊÓ´«Ã½™atlodeeche First Nation says she was denied entry to the Town of Hay River on May 13 despite trying to pick up goods and supplies to help clean up her reserve.

The Hay River Health and Social Services Authority will now be providing emergency services only following flood evacuation of the community early Thursday morning.

Hay River water levels near the Hay River gauge increased by about 1.7 metres over the past three days and remain extremely volatile, according to a notice from the GNWT Department of Environment and Natural Resources, May 12.

Residents packed the Aurora Ford Arena Tuesday night in the first major public meeting held by the Town of Hay River since major flooding began late last week.

The Town of Hay River reported that the main route into Vale Island will be accessible starting Wednesday evening.

The Big Lake Eatery and Cafe in downtown Hay River officially closed May 7 but new owners will be taking over the establishment to give it a brand new look and feel.

Mayor Kandis Jameson made yet another strong appeal for residents to leave their residences on Vale Island as floodwaters continued breaching the river and into the community, but at least a few appeared to be defying those orders.

A therapeutic horse riding business planned for launch this month will now have to be put on hold following a dramatic evacuation of livestock from Paradise Gardens over the weekend.