Flooding abates, but more Aklavik residents may have to leave

Emergency officials say more people will likely be airlifted out of the Mackenzie Delta community of Aklavik, even as the river water slowly lowers.

River water started to flood the community Friday, and many roads are still underwater. The hamlet declared a state of emergency, flying 300 people, mostly seniors and children, out of the community over the weekend.

The community's mayor was concerned a north wind could act like a tide, and force water up even higher than the spring flood crest.

Five more Aklavik residents were airlifted to Inuvik Monday because they had medical appointments at the hospital.

The flooding has covered many roads and ditches, and forced a halt to the town's water delivery and sewage pickup services. That may force more people out of town until services can be restored.

Most homes and businesses are dry, but the community's band office is flooded.

Resident James Tardiff was one of the unlucky ones, however. His house was flooded over the weekend, covering his living room in mud. He says he has some home repairs to do.

"Probably a new floor," he figures. "Because my auntie said my floor is all mushy and stuff. I got insurance for that though."

Inuvik Mayor Peter Clarkson is the spokesperson for that community's emergency measures organization.

He says the priority now is making sure everyone in Aklavik has enough drinking water.

Clarkson says Inuvik's bottled water distributor has sent over 70 jugs, but is running low on containers.

"One of the things they've got out right now is a call for people to return those five-gallon water jugs so they can be refilled and either sent over to Aklavik or people in town, so they can use those," he said.

Most of the evacuees are staying at Inuvik's army barracks, while others are staying with relatives.

Clarkson says it's not clear whether or not water levels in Aklavik are going down, but he predicts Aklavik residents will return home by the end of the week.