Yellowknife (May 05/03) - An ice jam sent water spilling over the banks of the West Channel last week, forcing more than 100 Vale Island and Hay River Reserve residents into emergency shelters.

Among them was 72-year-old Alex Morin, who called a mattress on the floor of the Hay River Legion his temporary home.

Hay River mayor leads tour Mayor Duncan McNeill waded into the hardest-hit areas of his town Thursday, wanting to get a firsthand look at the flooding. He was at the wheel of a town van and didn't let high water get in his way. The mayor was cautioned on particularly hazardous-looking sections of road by Coun. Robert Bouchard in the passenger seat. "I probably wouldn't drive through here, Your Worship," Bouchard said at one point, although the mayor forged through safely. At another point, McNeill quipped, "The mayor does not get stuck." Former deputy-mayor Red McBryan expressed concern about the several people who stayed in West Channel, despite the evacuation. "The people in West Channel should not be there." However, McNeill said, "There's nothing I can legally do to make people leave the channel." Vince Steen, the minister of Municipal and Community Affairs, said the flooding, and said the territorial government is offering the town any assistance it could. However, he noted most of the assistance would kick in after the emergency is over.

"There's no use to complain," mused Morin. "It's good enough."

The Town of Hay River declared a state of emergency when the flood hit April 30.

On Friday the water dropped a little but emergency measures officials kept a close eye on the water, measured at 18.5 feet at the West Channel Bridge.

About 75 Vale Island residents were forced from their homes by knee-deep water. Most of the evacuees stayed with friends and family or at hotels. Several people bedded down at the Legion, which offered free meals to evacuees. The department of social services also helped feed people forced from their homes.

Another 29 people who live in the Old Village section of the Hay River Reserve were evacuated on Wednesday when high water cut off roads leading to their homes.

People were allowed back to their homes for about an hour Thursday to check out the damage.

No good news Friday

At a meeting Friday afternoon with evacuees from West Channel, veteran river-watcher W.R. (Red) McBryan said he had no good news.

"The situation is not changing," he said.

McBryan said the flooding has the potential to become very severe, both in town and for the Old Village of the Hay River Reserve.

West Channel resident Leon Thomas got a look at his flooded property on Thursday.

His house appeared to be untouched, but there was damage to his yard -- a fuel tank was overturned and an 18-foot boat was missing.

"I think there will be a few of them washed away."

Hay River North MLA Paul Delorey called the flood "a disastrous situation for some people."

Last flood 18 years ago

Mayor Duncan McNeill said a flood in 1985 was perhaps a little worse, but this year's is more unusual.

"This flood is different than any we've ever seen before," he said, explaining the flow pattern of the river is highly unusual.

McBryan explained ice in the river normally moves, jams and then clears out.

"It's a very unusual break-up with the persistent rise of the water."

McBryan also noted the ice this year is about 24 inches thicker than normal.

All but a few residents voluntarily evacuated the West Channel area on Wednesday, and were still out of their homes on Friday.

Among them were Laverne Cameron and her two children.

She said she was a bit homesick and frustrated by the situation.

"I'm starting to feel like a nomad."

She said her home was not flooded, but the water was at the end of the driveway.

Among the people who remained in their West Channel homes were Greg Nessel and his 14-year-old son Justin.

Nessel said he was not too worried, since his Back Road house is high off the ground. The flood water only made it to about a block away from his property as of Friday.

Nessel added his son didn't want to leave because he wanted to watch satellite TV.

a history of floods

While not an annual event, spring break-up flooding is far from unknown in Hay River. In the last 50 years, there have been at least a half-dozen floods, counting the flood of '93.

Hay River's famed river-watcher, W.R. (Red) McBryan, can instantly recall floods in 1952, 1955, 1963, 1976 and 1985.

Of those, some were minor, but one stands out. The flood of 1963 went a long ways towards shaping modern-day Hay River.

The huge flood seriously damaged homes, business and facilities in the community -- then centred in what is now known as Old Town on Vale Island.

The flood led the federal government to decree that a new town site be established on the mainland, and New Town has become the business and residential centre of the community.

Timeline

April 26

- Public meeting held at town hall to update flood preparation plans.

April 28

- At about 4 a.m., the water rises past the 10-foot mark at West Channel bridge, marking the official start of break-up.

April 30

- Town declares a state of emergency as ice on the Hay River jams, sending water surging up the West Channel.

- Residents of Vale Island and Old Village section of Hay River Reserve are voluntarily evacuated.

- At about 5 p.m., water looks to be within about 30 metres from the end of the airport runway. Water moves very slowly under the Vale Island

May 1

- By early evening, little water appears to be flowing up the East Channel.

- Water comes dangerously close to the health centre helipads and rail lines at the barge terminal are under water. Several homes are either flooded or surrounded by high water.

- Emergency officials, town leaders and Municipal and Community Affairs Minister Vince Steen tour affected areas.

- Premier Stephen Kakfwi arrives in Hay River Thursday evening, visiting the West Channel area and Reserve.

May 2

- At about 10 a.m., ice in the river takes off, and the water level drops about a metre at the bridge just upstream from the town. The surge sends water onto the north end of the airport, which remains open.

- Water levels at West Channel are visibly lower in residential areas, but the danger of more flooding remains.

- Emergency officials meet with evacuees.

- Flooding threatens a water system lift station just off Riverview Drive. Pumps and two berms hold the water back.