Local Journalism Initiative Reporter
Water levels around Fort Simpson were fluctuating on Friday as the Mackenzie River gradually began to break and ice packs began flowing past the village.
Mayor Sean Whelly said the water level had risen back to 16 metres, a metre higher than the earlier mandatory evacuation point, by noon on Friday. “The Mackenzie hasn’t really come yet,” he cautioned.
“We’re in a holding pattern again,” said Whelly.
“More damage has been done to some businesses and people because it’s just a little bit more water on the back end of the island . Luckily it hasn’t come up higher on the front end.”
Flooding forces 700 people out of their homes in Fort Simpson, N.W.T.
Poll
Yes
By The Canadian Press on May 11, 2021.
The mouths of the Mackenzie River and the Liard River are shown near Fort Simpson, N.W.T., on Wednesday, Aug. 8, 2007. THE CANADIAN PRESS/Fred Chartrand
FORT SIMPSON, N.W.T. – A mayor in the Northwest Territories was watching for movement in slabs of ice and snow sitting on top of one of two rivers threatening his community on Tuesday.
About 700 of Fort Simpson’s 1,200 residents were forced from their homes after water levels rose dangerously on the weekend.
Flooding forces 700 people out of their homes in Fort Simpson, N.W.T.
Poll
Yes
The mouths of the Mackenzie River and the Liard River are shown near Fort Simpson, N.W.T., on Wednesday, Aug. 8, 2007. THE CANADIAN PRESS/Fred Chartrand
FORT SIMPSON, N.W.T. – A mayor in the Northwest Territories was watching for movement in slabs of ice and snow sitting on top of one of two rivers threatening his community on Tuesday.
About 700 of Fort Simpson’s 1,200 residents were forced from their homes after water levels rose dangerously on the weekend.
“On Fort Simpson island itself, probably 30 to 40 per cent of the island is underwater,” Mayor Sean Whelly said in an interview.
Flooding forces 700 people out of their homes in Fort Simpson, N.W.T.
The mouths of the Mackenzie River and the Liard River are shown near Fort Simpson, N.W.T., on Wednesday, Aug. 8, 2007. THE CANADIAN PRESS/Fred Chartrand May 11, 2021 - 3:38 PM
FORT SIMPSON, N.W.T. - A mayor in the Northwest Territories was watching for movement in slabs of ice and snow sitting on top of one of two rivers threatening his community on Tuesday.
About 700 of Fort Simpson s 1,200 residents were forced from their homes after water levels rose dangerously on the weekend. On Fort Simpson island itself, probably 30 to 40 per cent of the island is underwater, Mayor Sean Whelly said in an interview.
My house is completely destroyed, says evacuee from Jean Marie River, N.W.T., flooding I m just telling my kids that we can t go home [for] the time being, says Derwin Clille, who was forced to leave his home in Jean Marie River, N.W.T., amid rising flood waters.
Social Sharing
CBC News ·
Posted: May 12, 2021 6:00 AM CT | Last Updated: May 12
Derwin Clille s home was in Jean Marie River, N.W.T. He lived there with his partner and three kids for nearly 10 years. After the flood this weekend, it s destroyed, he said.(Submitted by Derwin Clille)
The smell of fuel was the first thing that hit Derwin Clille when he returned to Jean Marie River, N.W.T., after the community of about 100 people was flooded by the Mackenzie River over the weekend.