Evacuation underway near Dawson City, Yukon, as floodwaters rise
CBC
A "tactical evacuation" is underway in the Rock Creek subdivision near Dawson City, as floodwaters continue to rise in the area.
Emergency officials say about 20 properties on the Rock Creek Road are being evacuated. The evacuation is a recommendation, and not an order.
Officials were also warning early Monday afternoon that the water is expected to rise further and without warning once ice jams break downstream.
The evacuation follows a flood warning issued Sunday evening for the Klondike River.
In the warning, officials said several ice jams were causing flooding in Rock Creek neighbourhood.
"Stay clear of the fast-flowing rivers and potentially unstable riverbanks during the high-streamflow period," reads the warning.
"Flood-prone property owners should have a flood plan in place."
Officials expect the high water level to last into Tuesday evening.
Also on Monday, a flood watch was issued for the the lower Yukon River at Dawson City. The advisory states that ice upstream from Dawson is decaying more rapidly than further downstream, and that the current water level is relatively high for breakup.
"Current conditions suggest ice jams are likely to form downstream of Dawson during breakup at discharge volumes much higher than average. The risk of flooding to Dawson is well above average," the advisory reads.
Residents can stay up to date on potential flooding on the Yukon government's flood atlas.
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