Latest news with #OldCrow
CBC
26-05-2025
- Climate
- CBC
Evacuation alert lifted in Old Crow, Yukon as risk of ice-jam flooding passes
An evacuation alert for parts of Old Crow, Yukon, has been lifted, with water levels on the nearby Porcupine River now below flood levels. "The risk of ice jam flooding has passed. Water levels may go up and down over the next week due to snowmelt, but no flooding is expected," Yukon's Emergency Management Organization (EMO) said in an update Saturday afternoon. With the evacuation alert for parts of Old Crow officially rescinded, residents are no longer being asked to stay prepared for a possible evacuation. A reception centre set up for potential evacuees at Chief Zzeh Gittlit School has also been closed, and the school will be open for classes on Monday as usual. Yukon's EMO also said that Dump Road, which was closed on Saturday because of flood risk, has reopened to one lane of traffic, and members of the emergency management team in Old Crow are working to remove flood barriers and assess any damage that might have occurred over the weekend. However, residents are still being asked to conserve water for the next few days. Yukon's EMO said in the update that its team will continue to monitor water levels on the Porcupine River.
CBC
25-05-2025
- Climate
- CBC
Evacuation order in parts of Old Crow lifted as water levels decrease
Social Sharing People living in southwest Old Crow who were evacuated due to flooding early Saturday morning have returned home as water levels decreased through the day. Residents in the Yukon community were evacuated at 5:30 a.m. after water levels on the Porcupine River rose by over 5.5 metres in 24 hours. According to a social media update from Vuntut Gwitchin First Nation (VGFN), flooding started on the southwest side of town at about 3:30 a.m. Saturday. Community members in affected areas moved to Chief Zzeh Gittlit school. But just hours later, the order has been rolled back to an evacuation alert, which remains in effect for residents in zones 1, 2 and 3. This means people living in these areas should continue to be prepared to evacuate if necessary. Officials reported that a 10-kilometre-long ice jam had formed over Friday night, with little to no movement through the morning. But by Saturday afternoon, they reported the risk of ice jam flooding had diminished. "The risk of flooding from snowmelt upriver will be continuously reassessed over the next few days," read an update posted to social media from VGFN and the Yukon government's Emergency Management Team (EMO). "River Watch will continue in Zone 1 throughout the night." Regular flights to Old Crow are set to resume on Sunday morning, but the Dump Road remains closed due to flooding. Residents are also being asked to conserve water as flooding in the lagoon area may reduce sewage pickups over the next few days. "Snow is still melting, so water levels will stay high but are not expected to lead to flooding in Old Crow," the update continued. VGFN's River Watchers are continuing to actively assess and track the progress of ice on the river, along with the Yukon government's EMO team.
Yahoo
24-05-2025
- Climate
- Yahoo
Parts of Old Crow, Yukon evacuated as flood risk worsens
Parts of Old Crow were evacuated on Saturday morning after water levels on the Porcupine River rose by over 5.5 metres in 24 hours. According to social media update from Vuntut Gwitchin First Nation (VGFN) , flooding started on the southwest side of town around 3:30 a.m. Saturday morning. In the update, the first nation said floodwater is running over the North Road and the area between Ketza Camp and the river. Because of the flooding, residents who live in Zone 1 are currently under evacuation order. The residents left their homes around 5:30 a.m. this morning to register at the reception centre at Chief Zzeh Gittlit school. Zones 2 and 3 of the community remain under evacuation alert, meaning residents who live there should take steps to prepare in case they are later ordered to evacuate. In an update shared by the Yukon government, officials reported a 10-kilometre-long ice jam had formed overnight, with little to no movement through the morning. "Snowmelt continues to contribute flows to the Porcupine River, while the solid ice cover below Old Crow remains in place," the update read. "A small, lower portion of the jam has released below town as of 7:40 am." With a high of 13 degrees forecast for this afternoon, there's a risk that warmer temperatures could drive increased flows throughout the rest of the day. Even if the ice jam remains in place, snowmelt is expected to continue to drive up water levels. "Increased flows may help release the ice jam, but the thick and solid ice pans contributing to the jam at Old Crow will take some momentum to release," the update said. VGFN's River Watchers are actively assessing and tracking the progress of ice on the river, along with the Yukon government's Emergency Management Team (EMO). People living in areas under the evacuation alert are advised to have an emergency bag packed and to have an evacuation plan. If there are further evacuations, people are asked to go to the reception centre at Chief Zzeh Gittlit School to inform officials about their plan. Officials say updates will be posted on the Vuntut Gwitchin First Nation's Facebook page, and on the territorial government's website.
CBC
24-05-2025
- Climate
- CBC
Parts of Old Crow, Yukon evacuated as flood risk worsens
Parts of Old Crow were evacuated on Saturday morning after water levels on the Porcupine River rose by over 5.5 metres in 24 hours. According to social media update from Vuntut Gwitchin First Nation (VGFN) , flooding started on the southwest side of town around 3:30 a.m. Saturday morning. In the update, the first nation said floodwater is running over the North Road and the area between Ketza Camp and the river. Because of the flooding, residents who live in Zone 1 are currently under evacuation order. The residents left their homes around 5:30 a.m. this morning to register at the reception centre at Chief Zzeh Gittlit school. Zones 2 and 3 of the community remain under evacuation alert, meaning residents who live there should take steps to prepare in case they are later ordered to evacuate. In an update shared by the Yukon government, officials reported a 10-kilometre-long ice jam had formed overnight, with little to no movement through the morning. "Snowmelt continues to contribute flows to the Porcupine River, while the solid ice cover below Old Crow remains in place," the update read. "A small, lower portion of the jam has released below town as of 7:40 am." With a high of 13 degrees forecast for this afternoon, there's a risk that warmer temperatures could drive increased flows throughout the rest of the day. Even if the ice jam remains in place, snowmelt is expected to continue to drive up water levels. "Increased flows may help release the ice jam, but the thick and solid ice pans contributing to the jam at Old Crow will take some momentum to release," the update said. VGFN's River Watchers are actively assessing and tracking the progress of ice on the river, along with the Yukon government's Emergency Management Team (EMO). People living in areas under the evacuation alert are advised to have an emergency bag packed and to have an evacuation plan. If there are further evacuations, people are asked to go to the reception centre at Chief Zzeh Gittlit School to inform officials about their plan.
CBC
23-05-2025
- Climate
- CBC
Evacuation alert issued for parts of Old Crow, Yukon, due to flood risk
A flood watch is in effect for the Porcupine River in the Yukon and an evacuation alert has been issued for parts of Old Crow because of the risk. The territorial government issued the alert early Friday afternoon. It advises people who live in certain identified zones in Old Crow to be prepared to leave at a moment's notice, and says other areas may be affected "as the situation unfolds." An evacuation alert is different than an evacuation order, when residents must leave their home. An alert is intended to encourage people to prepare in case an order is later issued. The alert notice says the identified zones in Old Crow will be evacuated "if water rises quickly and crosses the Dump Road." The flood watch issued on Friday for the Porcupine River said the water is rising because of snowmelt and ice breakup on the river's tributaries. It said the breakup risk at Old Crow is elevated "due to a delayed onset of melt and ice degradation combined with quickly rising streamflow," and that breakup was expected within the next one to three days. "The probability of an ice jam downstream of Old Crow is currently high but will decrease as ice degradation progresses," it reads. Residents are advised to stay clear of fast-flowing water and potentially unstable riverbanks. People living in areas under the evacuation alert are advised to have an emergency bag packed and to have an evacuation plan. If there is an evacuation, people are asked to go to the reception centre at Chief Zzeh Gittlit School to inform officials about their plan.
