Press Release:
The First Nation community of Lower Post, BC located 25 kms south of Watson Lake, Yukon is in a state of emergency.
On Saturday June 8th at 8:00 a.m. the first group of residents living along the Liard River were evacuated due to extreme flooding and the potential for breaching of the berm. These residents were relocated within the community or to local campsites.
On Sunday, June 9th at 2:30 a.m. a second group of residents were evacuated with the advice and assistance of the Yukon Highways and RCMP. Between 2:30 and 4:30 am, the emergency management team of Daylu Dena Council evacuated an additional 24 people from their flooded homes along the old Alaska Highway to the nearby community of Watson Lake where housing and support was provided.
As a result of a mutual aid agreement between Emergency Management BC, Northwest PREOC, Aboriginal Affairs Northern Development and Yukon Territory Government immediate measures were taken to provide assistance to the devastated community.
Deputy Chief Peter Stone said “Our people have been devastated, and our community has limited capacity to deal with such an event of this scale, and we are very grateful for the emergency support that we have received to assist our community during this state of emergency.”
The community of Lower Post is located directly alongside the Liard River and the Alaska Highway. Approximately 70 mm of rain has fallen in the area in the past 10 days. This huge continued massive rainfall, combined with fast snowmelt at higher elevations, has left the community in a state of disaster. 14 homes have been seriously damaged, and the health and well being of residents have been seriously impacted. The Alaska Highway was washed out north and south of the community cutting off much needed goods and services. As of Monday the highway opened south of the community.
Daylu Dena Council Deputy Chief Peter Stone said “I would really like to recognize and acknowledge the Daylu Dena Emergency Management Team, cooks, staff and community members who have gone beyond the call of duty on the implementation of the BC Northwest Emergency Management Plan. As Deputy Chief, I would also like to acknowledge the on-going support provided by Aboriginal Affairs Northern Development Canada Yukon Region officials, for the implementation of the Northwest Emergency Planning Team out of Terrace BC, the RCMP, the local First Nation Iyon Kechika Contracting and the community of Watson Lake.
The water level of the Liard River exceeded the 1972 historic high of 7 meters to its current level of 8 meters and flooded homes, washed out roads, community infrastructure and caused loss of power to the majority of the community. Daylu Dena Council has set up an emergency reception and is providing meals at the Denetia Elementary School at Lower Post for those community members who have stayed behind.
Dave Porter, Chief Negotiator for Kaska Dena Council accompanied Deputy Chief Peter Stone to meet with a senior BC Government official and said “Kaska leaders have met with a senior provincial official and are requesting an assessment of damages and long term solutions to ensure this does not occur again once this disaster has passed.”
