Flood Watch
- Last Updated: June 20, 2022
- 3:33 PM
Current Situation in Ross River, YT
Ross River, YT
HIGH STREAMFLOW ADVISORY
- Effective June 20, Ross River has been downgraded from a Flood Warning to a High Streamflow Advisory. Water levels on the Pelly River have declined since peaking on June 14, but overall the levels remain high.
- Community members and visitors are advised to remain clear of all fast-flowing rivers and potentially unstable riverbanks during the high streamflow period.
- The Evacuation Alert issued on June 9 for properties along the Canal Road between Sawmill Road and the Pelly River Ferry Landing remains in place until fruther notice.
ALERT LEVELS
Photo by Fran Etzel (June 6, 2022)
Flooding Updates & Information
Here is the latest news and information on the flood situation in Ross River:
Posted: 06/20/2022
Flood Warning Downgraded to High Streamflow Advisory
As of Monday, June 20, 2022 at noon, the Yukon Emergency Measures Organization advises that the Flood Warning issued for the Pelly River at Ross River has been downgraded to a High Streamflow Advisory. To see the latest notice, click here.
Water levels have declined 63 centimetres since peaking on June 14, however officials note that the Evacuation Alert issued on June 9 for properties along the Canol Road between Sawmill Road and the Pelly River ferry landing will remain in effect until further notice.
Low lying areas adjacent to the river are have been flooding since June 6, resulting in the closure of the pedestrian bridge and a notice to all community members and visitors to stay clear of the area during the high-streamflow period.
In today’s notice, the water level forecast indicates that water levels are expected to gradually decline over the coming days and possibly stabilize. Small increases in water level are possible as a result of rain showers followed by the warm weather forecast for next weekend, but any increases are expected to be small.
The situation continues to be monitored by the Yukon Government and Ross River Dena Council. Watch for more updates as conditions change.
- Click here to read the latest advisory.
- Click here to read the current evacuation alert.
- Click here for the latest emergency updates.
- For additional information regarding this Evacuation Alert contact Mike Fancie, Public Information Officer at (867) 332-1928 or email [email protected].
- For 24/7 Emergency Social Services Support, contact Warren Pearson at (867) 332-7367.
Posted: 06/014/2022
Evacuation Alert Update
As of Tuesday morning a Flood Warning remains in effect, and an Evacuation Alert is still in effect for properties along the Canol Road between Sawmill Road and the Pelly River ferry landing.
On Monday evening, officials advised that seven primary residences and eight other sites are being protected with a superbag berm and sandbags. It was also noted that the Pelly River has not received significant precipitation, and that officials believe current conditions should remain stable in the coming days.
Low lying areas adjacent to the river are have been flooding since June 6, resulting in the closure of the pedestrian bridge and a notice to all community members and visitors to stay clear of the area during the high-streamflow period.
- Click here to read the current evacuation alert.
- Click here for the latest emergency updates.
- To monitor Pelly River water levels at Ross River in real time, click here.
- For additional information regarding this Evacuation Alert contact Mike Fancie, Public Information Officer at (867) 332-1928 or email [email protected].
- For 24/7 Emergency Social Services Support, contact Warren Pearson at (867) 332-7367.
Posted: 06/011/2022
Evacuation Alert Issued for Properties Between Sawmill Road and the Pelly River Ferry Landing in Ross River
The Government of Yukon has issued an Evacuation Alert for properties along the Canol Road between Sawmill Road and the Pelly River ferry landing. Other areas may be affected as time goes on, according to the latest notice.
Residents in the affected area are being notified by Incident Management Team staff. If you are in the affected area, you should be ready to leave within an hour of being notified.
- Click here to read the current evacuation alert.
- Click here for the latest emergency updates.
- Low lying areas adjacent to the river are have been flooding since June 6, resulting in the closure of the pedestrian bridge and a notice to all community members and visitors to stay clear of the area during the high-streamflow period.
- An Incident Management Team from the Government of Yukon has been assisting Ross River Dena Council with placing flood barriers and pumping water away from homes since Wednesday. A sandbagging machine is on site.
- Earlier in the week the berm had been assessed and was holding. As of Saturday evening, additional work was under way to strengthen defences in the event of possible flash flooding.
- To monitor Pelly River water levels at Ross River in real time, click here.
- For additional information regarding this Evacuation Alert contact Mike Fancie, Public Information Officer at (867) 332-1928 or email [email protected].
Posted: 06/08/2022
Posted: 06/07/2022
Pedestrian Bridge Closed
- Rising water levels have forced closure of the Ross River Pedestrian Bridge due to safety concerns. The Yukon Government’s Department of Community Services is monitoring the situation and will provide updates when available.
- Click here to read the bridge closure notice.
Posted: 06/06/2022
Monitor Pelly River conditions in real time on the Government of Canada website. Click here.
Posted: 06/07/2022
YFN Wildfire to Join Ross River Flood Response Effort
- Two squads from the Skookum Unit Crew are now mobilizing to Ross River to assist with the current flood response effort. Council wishes to thank Yukon First Nations Wildfire for this support. To follow the YFN Wildfire team on Facebook, click here.
Posted: 06/06/2022
Flood Warning Issued For Pelly River at Ross River, Effective June 6, 2022
- On June 6 the Government of Yukon issued a flood warning for the Pelly River at Ross River. Low lying areas adjacent to the river are now flooding.
- This warning advised that the Pelly River had surpassed the five-year return period water level and was still rising, although the rate of rise was starting to slow.
- Community members and visitors are advised to stay clear of all fast-flowing rivers and potentially unstable riverbanks in the area during the high-streamflow period. Click here for the latest emergency updates.
- To monitor Pelly River water levels at Ross River in real time, click here.
- For additional information regarding this flood warning contact the Yukon Emergency Measures Organization at (867) 667-5220 or send an email to [email protected].
2022 Flood Season Resources
Here are some resources to help keep you and your property safe from floods:
- How to prepare for a flood (Government of Yukon)
- What to do about fuel tanks and hazardous substances in flood areas (Government of Yukon)
- How to build a sandbag berm (Government of Yukon)
- What to do after a flood (Government of Yukon)
- Recover from a flood (Government of Yukon)
- Flood Ready (Government of Canada)
As released by the Water Resources Branch
As posted on June 11, 2022 at 9:00 p.m. by the Government of Yukon
Evacuation Alert
For areas of Ross River along the Canol Road between Sawmill Road and the Pelly River ferry landing
An Evacuation Alert has been issued by Yukon Emergency Measures Organization. The affected properties are in Ross River along the Canol Road between Sawmill Road and the Pelly River ferry landing. Other areas may be affected as time goes on.
This alert is because of the potential impacts of flooding in the area near the Pelly River. Residents in the affected area are being notified by incident staff. If you are in the affected area, you should be ready to leave within an hour of being notified.
When preparing to evacuate, you should:
- Locate all family members and choose a safe meeting place;
- Gather important things like medication, eye glasses, valuable papers and immediate care needs for dependents;
- Move livestock or pets to a safe area;
- Arrange transport for your household members in anticipation of a potential evacuation;
Arrange accommodation for your family. In the event of an evacuation, emergency accommodation may be provided, if needed; and
Look for updates from local news sources and Yukon.ca/emergencies.
The Canol Road is closed to non-local traffic north of the Pelly Road. Due to heavy equipment activity, non-residents should avoid this area.
For more information, visit Yukon.ca/emergencies. Contact:
Mike Fancie
Public Information Officer | Wildland Fire Management 867-332-1928 or [email protected]
As posted by the Government of Yukon on June 10, 2022 at 2:00 p.m.
Flood Warning Remains in Effect
- Current conditions The Pelly River at Ross River peaked June 7 and has been slowly declining over the past two days. The water level remains above the 10-year return period level*. Low lying areas adjacent to the river are currently flooding.
- Weather forecast Daytime highs are forecast to be in the mid-teens for the next 5 days. Showers are forecast through the weekend with periods of heavier rain possible overnight Sunday. Rain totals are expected to be highest in the headwaters with localized amounts of up to 30 mm.
- Water level forecast Current hydrological modelling suggests that the Pelly River at Ross River will begin rising again in response to the incoming rainfall. However, model uncertainty is high with estimates ranging from 30 to 80 centimetres above the current level.
- Flood and travel advice The public is advised to stay clear of the fast-flowing rivers and potentially unstable riverbanks during the high- streamflow period. Flood prone property owners are advised to have a plan in place in the event of a flood. See Yukon.ca/floods for more information.
We will continue to monitor conditions and will provide updates as conditions change.
As posted on June 6, 2022 at 1:00 p.m. by the Government of Yukon
Flood Warning Issued for Pelly River at Ross River
- Current Conditions: The Pelly River at Ross River has risen 20 cm in the last 48 hours and is now above the 5-year return period water level* and still rising, although the rate of rise has started to slow. Low lying areas adjacent to the river are currently flooding.
- Weather Forecast: Daytime highs are forecast to be around 20 degrees with lows in the mid-single digits for the next week. A chance of showers today will clear on Tuesday and showers are forecast to return Thursday.
- Water Level Forecast: Current hydrological modelling suggests that the Pelly River at Ross River will continue to rise with continued snowmelt and rainfall inputs through the week to a peak 60 cm above the current level and close to the 50-year return period water level. There is high uncertainty with this forecast.
- Flood and Travel Advisory: The public is advised to stay clear of the fast-flowing rivers and potentially unstable riverbanks during the high- streamflow period. Flood prone property owners are advised to have a plan in place in the event of a flood. See Yukon.ca/floods for more information.