Return to Hay River Immediately or Wait: A Dilemma for Victims


Thus the authorities recommend to the victims who choose to return to make sure that their house is in an adequate condition. The electricity supply or the oil supply must, for example, be safe, the water accumulated in the basement must be pumped out, and the kitchen cleaned from top to bottom.

Residents of the most affected neighborhoods are advised to plan an alternative solution to relocate in the event that it is not safe to return to their homes.

Water and ice can be found on a street in Hay River in front of a three story building.

Residents should ensure that their home is in adequate condition before returning.

Photo: Radio-Canada / Kate Kyle

The river level has dropped five meters since the historic level recorded last Thursday. Authorities, however, anticipate a further increase in the coming days as the melting continues. However, this next flood should not threaten the community.

It is better to come back well equipped

For Olivier Chichery who left his house in the middle of the night last week to stay with friends in Alberta, it is better to wait before returning there.

From reports we’ve seen and heard and talking to neighbors, our property was not affected. We were planning to come back on Sunday, but […] we are not allowed to use the water so as not to clog the sewers, so I prefer to delay our return a little, explains the Franco-Ténois.

A flooded street in Hay River on May 12.

Residents should avoid using water so as not to clog the sewers.

Photo: Radio-Canada / Emma Grunwald

While the sudden departure shook the family, the father takes comfort in having experienced other floods in the past in Alberta and knowing what to expect next.

Obviously, since our house was not affected, it is much easier to manage and we will be able to help others who have lost everything. We have a friend who lost everything, all he has is things he had on him, his pickup truck and his dogs. »

A quote from Olivier Chichery, Hay River resident

The family thought of taking refuge in Yellowknife rather than in Alberta to allow their son to continue with school, but they did not want to find themselves staying more than a week with the same people.

Allain St-Cyr School open for affected students

On Friday, the Commission scolaire francophone des Territoires du Nord-Ouest (CSFTNO) announced that the doors of École Allain St-Cyr were open for students evacuated from Hay River.

École Boréale in Hay River has about 60 students and about 15 staff members, according to the estimates of the director general of the CSFTNOYvonne Careen.

École Boréale in winter.

École Boréale in Hay River and École Allain St-Cyr in Yellowknife are the two French schools in the NWT.

Photo: Radio-Canada / Mario De Ciccio

Although the École Boréale building was not affected by the floods, the lack of infrastructure, such as sewers, forces the CSFTNO to keep the school closed until further notice.

Several staff are back in Hay River, however, conditions are less than ideal and some staff know there is damage to their home but cannot go and see yet. explained the director by email on Monday.

The territory adjusts its refund policy

The Government of the Northwest Territories announced on Monday that it has changed its financial assistance policy for disaster victims.

Thus, the policy will be able to absorb up to 90% of the repair costs, rather than the previous 80%, up to a maximum of $240,000 for owners of residences or small businesses.

Victims may also have access to a temporary relocation assistance allowance for up to six months to cover housing or storage costs.

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Reference-ici.radio-canada.ca

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