The Yukon Party is flogging the territorial government again over preparations for flooding.

“In February, the Yukon Party official Opposition called for the Liberal government to work with communities to prepare for this upcoming flood season,” the party said in a statement last week.

“In addition, the official Opposition presented several community-based solutions to help prepare for any potential flooding this year in light of heavy snow this winter.

“In response, the minister of Community Services (Richard Mostyn) told media the situation was distinctly different from last year. He said the majority of the snow was concentrated in lowland areas where a lot of snow is very obvious to the public, and the alpine areas have seen less snow than last year. He also said the government was well prepared for flooding.”

However, the Yukon Party said, with a record snowpack in eight of 11 watersheds in the territory, a rapid snowmelt could potentially lead to widespread flooding, the party pointed out.

Officials are watching ice conditions in Dawson City and Old Crow for the potential of high water affecting those two communities, the YP noted, and flooding is already occurring on parts of the North Klondike Highway.

“Flooding on Takhini River Road is already affecting properties and buildings, and road access to several dozen homes.”

Yukon Party MLA Brad Cathers said, “We brought the concerns and suggestions of Yukoners impacted by last year’s flooding to the attention of the government in February, and also during the spring sitting of the legislative assembly.

“At that time, the minister told Yukoners government was prepared. Yukoners want more information about what that actually means, and what the government will do in response to flooding.”

In its release, the party said, “The government has outlined some measures. Those include the release of a flood map, the ordering of sandbags and conducting several community Zoom calls.

“However, the Yukon Party highlighted that better communication was a priority, and Yukoners need to hear a detailed plan and more information, rather than opaque assurances from the minister that government is ‘ready.’”

Actions suggested by the Yukon Party include:

• setting aside an area in Whitehorse easily accessible for residents to help fill sandbags for transport where needed; and

• identifying roads and other government infrastructure that would benefit from improvements early in the summer.

“Property owners who want to do their own groundwork preparation need certainty that they are able to do so,” the Yukon Party said.

“The Liberals need to ensure there are no bureaucratic hurdles in the way as Yukoners prepare for a flood season that is rapidly approaching.”

The Liberal cabinet had a response to the Yukon Party’s remarks.

“It is interesting the Yukon Party chose to release this news release two days after their official briefing with the Department of Community Services on the flood and fire outlook,” the cabinet’s statement said.

“At its conclusion, they had few questions for officials and learned we are doing all this work – including many of the things they have now asked us to do in their release.

“Our government is preparing for community flooding this year. In fact, we have been preparing earlier than ever before.”

Flood prevention begins with Yukon residents, the statement added.

“Individuals are responsible for taking care of their properties with pumps, hoses, barriers, evacuation plans and emergency long-term supplies.

“The government is responsible for community-level protections.”

The government is monitoring snow pack and precipitation, the statement said.

“We have reached out to residents significantly affected in 2021 and will continue to do so.”

The next community update for residents who have been affected by last year’s flood is May 12.

This fiscal year’s budget includes $3.7 million for flood remediation and recovery in the Southern Lakes and Lake Laberge areas.

“This will help Yukoners restore their properties, prepare for future flooding events and develop long-term plans to protect our communities and residents for future climate change events,” the cabinet’s statement said.

“Community Services’ Emergency Measures Organization (EMO) is working with communities to understand and address their unique needs for flood mitigation, preparation and response support. For example, EMO has funded engineering studies in Carmacks and Teslin to lay out long-term mitigation options.”

EMO has been working with Highways and Public Works to identify and prioritize road and infrastructure improvements ahead of the flood season, the statement added.

Work is planned for Lewes/Sawmill Road, Shallow Bay, Jackfish Bay Road and the turnaround at the end of Army Beach.

An Emergency Co-ordination Centre will co-ordinate government support for flood response in communities if required, and Emergency Social Services will be prepared to support displaced residents in the event of an evacuation.

Based on the April 1 snow bulletin, goods are being pre-positioned into high-risk communities. (Sandbags and other response materials are being pre- positioned in high-risk areas based on expert advice from hydrologists at the water resources branch and on the needs of each individual community.)

Two automatic sandbag machines are being ordered to increase the capacity of sandbagging in the territory. They can be pre-positioned as needed in the territory. 

“An after-action report was commissioned to look at lessons learned from last year’s floods and is being incorporated into the response this year,” the cabinet said.

Yukon River breaks up at Dawson City ... see story in new section.