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Feds promise $3 million for 2006 Aklavik flood damage
Seven years later, money will help cover costs incurred such as restoring infrastructure

Kassina Ryder
Northern News Services
Published Monday, March 25, 2013

AKLAVIK
The federal government is promising $3,140,829 to the Northwest Territories to help cover the cost of flood damage in Aklavik seven years ago.

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Three-hundred people were evacuated from Aklavik during a flood in May 2006. Seven years later, the federal government is helping cover damage costs. - photo courtesy of Const. James McEachern

Tom Williams, deputy minister of the NWT's department of Municipal and Community Affairs, said the flood cost the territory about $3.6 million.

The federal funding, which is being provided through the Disaster Financial Assistance Arrangements program, will cover 85 per cent of those costs, he said.

In May 2006, Aklavik mayor at the time, Knute Hansen, declared a state of emergency when water from the Peel Channel of the Mackenzie River overflowed its banks.

Most of the community's roads were underwater, bridges were washed out and about 300 people were evacuated to Inuvik.

Hansen said he remembers the flood well.

"It was both exciting and scary," he said. "You could actually watch the water coming up."

At the time, a hamlet councillor said the floodwaters were the highest they had been since 1992.

Hansen, who was born and raised in the Aklavik area, said flooding is a common occurrence in the region during spring melt when ice jams block the flow of water.

"It's gradual at first, but when the jams occur, that's when it backs up," he said. "That's when it's dangerous."

Hansen said that's why the community has a comprehensive disaster plan.

"We have a very active flood emergency committee," he said. "This time of the year, they pull out the flood plans and disaster plans. It's an ongoing thing. It's updated annually."

Hansen said when he was mayor, he attended the Canadian Emergency Measures College in Arnprior, Ont., which helped prepare him to deal with the flood.

"We took very specific courses," he said. "It sure helps when you're actually going through the situation."

In an e-mail to News/North, Public Safety Canada spokesperson J.P. Duvall stated the money will help cover costs incurred during the flood.

"Eligible expenses include, but are not limited to, evacuation operations, restoring public works and infrastructure to their pre-disaster condition, as well as replacing or repairing basic, essential personal property of individuals, small businesses and farmsteads," he stated.

Williams said the biggest expenses in Aklavik were road repairs. He said due to the community's isolated location, gravel for roads had to be shipped in by barge from Inuvik. It took several years to complete repairs.

Williams said a similar claim has been submitted to the federal government to help with the costs of last summer's flooding in Nahanni Butte.

Hansen said Aklavik area residents count on each other. During spring when waters are high, neighbours keep in contact using bush radios, updating and helping each other both in the community and while out on the land.

"There's chatter among all the camps in the spring time," he said. "It's a very good camaraderie that goes on."

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