The record flooding in the Yukon prompted the territorial government to declare a state of emergency under the Civil Emergency Measures Act over the weekend.

That’s the same legislation the government has used to combat the COVID-19 outbreak for the last 16 months.

“This state of emergency gives the Government of Yukon the tools and flexibility to ensure the safety and security of residents impacted by flooding in the Southern Lakes region,” a news release stated.

“It expands the toolbox the Yukon government can draw from to mitigate the impacts of the flood, including issuing evacuation orders, as needed. With the rapidly changing situation, this step is critical to ensuring our ability to respond effectively to help residents in need.

“The state of emergency will be in effect for up to 90 days and can be cancelled at any time.”

Richard Mostyn, the minister of Community Services, said in the release, “The Government of Yukon has mounted the largest flood relief effort in Yukon’s history to deal with unprecedented water levels.

“The declaration of this state of emergency provides us the ability to provide effective and timely response to those individuals who need our assistance the most.

“We are aware that this is a stressful time for all Yukoners, and particularly for those residents directly impacted by the current flood situation,” Mostyn added.

“We want to reassure those residents we will do everything we can to continue providing all the support we can to you in the coming weeks.”

An exhausted-sounding Mostyn told the Star this morning the government is grappling to deploy its seriously-strained resources to areas where it will do the most good.

“Our resources are finite,” he said. “We need the public to help us out by reporting what they’re seeing from the ground and relay it to us.”

Over the weekend, the weather turned cooler, which is helping to slow down the rate the water is rising, Mostyn said.

But all it would take is a rain event and/or temperatures rising again to exacerbate the flooding.

“It’s a tenuous situation,” he said. “The flooding is increasing in all the Southern Lakes and Lake Laberge regions.”

So far, only one property he is aware of has been abandoned to the flood waters, and that is at Lake Laberge.

“It’s heart-rending,” Mostyn said.

He also noted forest fires have closed some highways around the territory and in adjacent areas, making it more difficult to move teams and resources around. It’s also interfering with getting supplies through, Mostyn said.

“It’s very difficult to battle water. It comes up at you from all sides, from the ground, from lakes and rivers and streams, and sometimes from the air.

“The community response has been incredible,” he added, pointing to the hundreds of Yukoners helping out with sandbagging efforts in recent days. Others have donated food or other volunteer assistance.

Brad Cathers, the Yukon Party MLA for Lake Lebarge, is criticizing what he calls the government’s lack of action on the Jackfish Bay Road.

That road has been flooding steadily for at least a week, Cathers told the Star this morning.

The water there is now over the running boards of his pickup truck.

There are 16 homes in the area that are in danger of losing road access.

Cathers said he has contacted several cabinet ministers about the issue. Residents in the area are asking for the same government assistance in ensuring roads remain driveable as has been provided in the Marsh Lake area.

“They’re wondering why they aren’t receiving the same kind of attention,” Cathers said. “That’s all they want.”

Cathers said the situation has led to grumbling the government is playing politics. Marsh Lake lies within a riding represented by cabinet minister John Streicker while Lake Laberge is a staunchly Yukon Party stronghold.

“Some of them think some partisan politics should not play a role in this,” Cathers said. “I just think the government should have been on top of it.”

According to the government, water levels in Marsh Lake, Lake Laberge, Bennett Lake and Tagish Lake have all surpassed historic 2007 flood levels.  

“A robust incident Management Team is in place in Southern Lakes with more than 60 Government of Yukon personnel, flood specialists from Manitoba and Saskatchewan and approximately 100 members of the Canadian Armed Forces actively engaged with the Incident,” the release stated.

“If an evacuation alert is issued, it signals to affected residents that they need to be ready to leave their homes on short notice.

“We will do everything we can to ensure an evacuation alert is issued ahead of an evacuation order to give residents some time to prepare to leave their homes.

If an evacuation order is issued, it means affected residents are at risk and must leave the area immediately. The evacuation order may be issued without a preceding alert, if there isn’t enough warning.”

If the government needs to issue an evacuation alert or order, the release added, “it will be distributed through door-to-door direct contact with affected residents and then released publicly through a variety of means.”

Mostyn said in the release that “in the event that an evacuation order is issued, Emergency Social Services personnel and the Canadian Red Cross are on standby to assist residents as needed and to ensure accommodation and support for potential evacuees are secured.

“If an evacuation order is issued, displaced residents will need to register at a reception centre either in person or by phone. This information will be provided in the evacuation alert and order.”

There is an evacuation alert in effect for areas of Marsh Lake, the Lewes River Road, Tagish and Lake Laberge.

There are evacuation alerts in effect for areas of Tagish, Marsh Lake and the Lewes River Road.

All of the Southern Lakes and Lake Laberge have surpassed 2007 flood levels. Access roads and some properties are being affected.

The IMT is prioritizing high-risk areas.

More than 60 government personnel are actively engaged with the incident. A relief incident management team from Saskatchewan and seven Manitoba flood specialists are on-site. Approximately 100 members of the Canadian Armed Forces continue to support mitigation efforts.

The IMT is assessing properties at Deep Creek at Lake Laberge and advising property owners of next steps based on flood specialists’ advice. Plans are in place to build a superbag berm along Jackfish Bay road.

A superbag barrier has been built on South M’Clintock Road. Impacted properties are receiving assistance where needed. Some residents have left recreational homes as water began impacting Bay View Road.

Mitigation work continues at Sawmill Road, Constabulary, Judas Creek and Grayling Place.

Crews are assessing properties and providing sandbags to vulnerable properties in Carcross. The superbag berm is almost complete.

A bridge assessment is being organized due to rising water levels.

Sandbagging is ongoing at priority properties in Tagish. Plans are in place to build a superbag berm along the highway.

More than 500,000 sandbags and 7,500 superbags have been deployed so far in the response. Another 500,000 sandbags and 2,000 superbags have been ordered.

There are now nine sandbagging stations available to residents. To view the locations, check out the Southern Lakes flood information map here: https://yukon.ca/emergencies