Flooded - Kaska Dena Community State of Emergency

[admin]

Turtle Island Native Network
http://www.turtleisland.org

June 12th, 2012

Daylu Dena, Lower Post First Nation is suffering from massive flooding, and is in a state of emergency.

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.

Due to extreme flooding, residents living along the Liard River were forced to move this past Saturday - relocated within the community, to local campsites.

Then, on Sunday, a second group of residents were evacuated. Two dozen people were moved from their flooded homes along the old Alaska Highway, to the nearby Yukon community of Watson Lake where housing and support was provided.

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.

Leaders of the devastated Kaska Dena community are expressing gratitude for the immediate assistance provided by the RCMP, emergency measures staff, federal and provincial governments.

Daylu Dena Council 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.

Deputy Chief Stone added:
"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. 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".

[admin]

Turtle Island Native Network
http://www.turtleisland.org

June 15th, 2012

The Canadian Red Cross is being urged to provide immediate assistance to the Kaska community of Lower Post / Daylu Dena First Nation, experiencing a state of emergency due to Liard River flooding.

Ground support crews and volunteers are exhausted, according to the Assembly of First Nations (AFN).

More than 70 mm of rain has fallen in the area in the past 15 days. This rainfall, combined with fast snowmelt at higher elevations, has left the community in a state of disaster. It has left more than 37 citizens evacuated and 19 homes flooded.

The AFN has called on the Canadian government for a clear commitment to develop an immediate recovery plan and a long term mitigation plan to address the ongoing flooding crisis in Daylu Dena First Nation.

Flood damages are estimated to be about $3.75 million in housing, $5 million in personal and vehicles damage and $ 5 million in access roads damage. The Water treatment plant is also compromised. There is monitoring for water quality underway.

A news release from the AFN explained:
"We are asking Aboriginal Affairs and Northern Development Canada to work closely with the Daylu Dena Council to convene an on-site damage assessment visit next week and to assist on immediate relief and long-term solutions. This situation needs full coordination, communication and increased support. It also means proper investments in infrastructure and long-term, sustainable plans that address the root causes as well as the impact of flooding, including addressing health concerns and deteriorating infrastructure. It is simply too much stress on a community that is already vulnerable."