An official review finds that communication failures were a primary cause of problems during the emergency response after six communities in the Northwest Territories faced historic flooding during the spring of 2021.
The territorial government just published its “after-action” review of the 2021 flood season, nearly three years after hundreds of residents living along the Hay, Mackenzie, and Little Buffalo river systems had to flee their homes, reports Cabin Radio.
Flooding was the worst on record that year, causing estimated damages of over C$40 million across the communities of Fort Simpson, Jean Marie River, Hay River, and Fort Resolution in the south, Fort Good Hope in the northwest, and Aklavik farther northwest.
Communication problems figured significantly in the review, from mixed messaging between local and territorial authorities about whether support was needed, to displaced residents being housed in evacuation centres, not hotels as promised.
The review authors emphasized a particular disconnect between how the government thought it was doing on the communication front, and how its communications were received by the public.
“Information is the most valuable commodity during emergencies or disasters,” they wrote. “It is what authorities and the public need to make decisions and is an essential aspect in an organization’s ability to gain (or lose) visibility and credibility.”
“Above all, it is necessary for rapid and effective assistance to those affected by a disaster.”
The review recommended improvement in 16 areas, including staff capacity and training, and ironing out problems in the supply chains for emergency goods and services.
All responsible parties need to provide better planning for evacuees with mental health issues, the authors added.
They came up with 22 specific recommendations, including standardized guidelines for evacuation centres and protocols for handling donations.
The reviewers praised the work of traditional knowledge keepers providing information on river behaviour to decision-makers, as well as the efforts of host communities to accommodate evacuees. “The lessons learned through the process of an after-action review are more important than ever,” community affairs minister Vince McKay said in a release. “It is a crucial step in keeping residents safe, but also in helping residents prepare for potential future emergencies.”
