More people will likely be airlifted out of the flooded Northwest Territories community of Aklavik, even as water from spring flooding in the Mackenzie Delta slowly ebbs away, emergency officials say.
FROM MAY 27, 2006: Aklavik evacuated as spring waters rise
The swollen Mackenzie River began 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.
Five more Aklavik residents were airlifted Monday to Inuvik, 55 kilometres away, because they had medical appointments at the hospital in the town.
Water and sewage service disrupted
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.
The community's band office is flooded, but most homes and businesses are dry.
James Tardiff was one of the unlucky ones. 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 said. "Because my auntie said my floor is all mushy and stuff. I got insurance for that though."
Drinking water jugs in short supply
Inuvik Mayor Peter Clarkson says the priority 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.
It's not clear whether water levels in Aklavik are going down, Clarkson said, but he predicted Aklavik residents will return home by the end of the week.