After two landslides in Whitehorse in recent days, residents of three homes were ordered to evacuate, one of which was occupied. However, Mayor Laura Cabot said there is no danger to the public if they stay away from dangerous areas.
One of two landslides occurred above Cliffside Park near Jeckell Street. The park was surrounded by security cordons in May 2021, after a similar incident.
Saturday’s landslide dumped debris into this park, which overflows 6th Avenue near a home.
there is [trois] houses so close to the landslide site where the City spoke to the owners to tell them they were more at risk and it was better for them to leave their homesexplained Laura Cabott, and added that two of the three units were empty.
While residents first received a recommendation to leave the area, it eventually became an evacuation order. According to Ms. Cabott, very cooperative of locals and left.
They were taken care of by social services.
Other landslides occurred late Friday or early Saturday near Wood and Jarvis streets. More areas near the escarpment were cordoned off following the incidents over the weekend, Cabott said.
Despite these new landslides equivalent to cubic meters of debris in the April 30 landslide, Laura Cabott said there are no risks to public and private properties. currently if people move away from the affected areas.
” People are safe in the house, but they must be careful and cautious on the escarpment. “
However, the emergency operations center was activated on Saturday and the perimeter of the closed areas was expanded by authorities.
Delay for reopening of Robert Service lane
As City employees begin laying the sheet piles used in the construction of the protective wall on Robert Service Road, work will be delayed.
Some of the human resources have to be devoted to the latest landslide. According to the city’s director of operations, Tracy Allen, work at Robert Service will have to stop for two to three days.
It should continue tomorrow (Tuesday) and will take another seven to ten days. Therefore, the road should be reopened within two weeks.
On the other hand, the famous Millennium trail will not reopen until the area is completely safe. It may be the end of June, in the mayor’s opinion.
More landslides are coming
The City has distributed emergency kits to more than 40 homes in high -risk areas in case residents are trapped in their homes.
The kits contain information about the importance of having adequate supplies for 72 hours as well as posters with the words help and “OK” to hang on the windows.
Laura Cabott said municipal engineers and consultants continue to monitor the escarpment daily and expect to see more landslides in the next two weeks as groundwater continues to seep into the ground.
Although she said the City is focused on current challenges, Tracy Allen said authorities are looking for long -term solutions because the situation could repeat itself in the coming years. To date, no concrete has been put on the table.
” This is very preliminary at this time, but some solutions are looking at groundwater management for the area. We can also consider interception canals, replanting is possible. There are different options. “
Tracy Allen said the escarpment is not expected to be established until mid -June or even the end of the month. It all depends on the weather we have next month.
Laura Cabott added that right now landslides are costing the City half a million dollars and she expects that amount to increase in the coming weeks.
With information from Michel Proulx, Elyn Jones and Chris Windeyer
Source: Radio-Canada
