Great Flood of 2007 Over for Vanderhoof

By 250 News

The worst is finally over for Vanderhoof.

The Nechako River is finally started to recede after 7 weeks of unprecedented levels.

The evacuation alert has been lifted, and many residents who have been waiting to hear if they would have to leave their homes on a moment’s notice, can take a breather.

Vanderhoof Mayor Len Fox says the flows were at 600 cubic metres per second at the Burrard Street Bridge in Vanderhoof Wednesday, “We have lifted the evacuation alert and we are now moving into recovery mode” says Mayor Fox.

(at right, orange markers show  the rails of  a submerged bridge  photo opinion 250 archive)

According to Fox, only two people were forced from their homes, and in both cases it was because of flooding of septic fields. “I know there have been lots of people who cancelled their holidays and  family reunions because they wanted to  stay home to make sure everything was o.k, so  now that the evacuation alert has been lifted  they  can  take a break.”

Fox says the first order on the recovery plan will be to rescue fish that are now trapped in water that has pooled in low lying areas.  “We are undertaking a special program that will involve Alcan, the freshwater fisheries, and the community to rescue these fish.  There are a lot of them in Riverview Park and they will have to be moved back to the river.”

Fox says the next step will be pumping the ground water out of areas where it too has pooled.  He isn’t ready to give an estimate of what this flooding will cost Vanderhoof. “I know we are facing considerable costs, but we won’t have those figures until late September.”

(at left,  volunteers  were  always ready to  top up the  dikes photo opinion250 archive)

During the worst of the flooding, Vanderhoof had to put out a call for volunteers to help with the sandbagging, and he says the response was always phenomenal “In addition to the incredible volunteers from Vanderhoof, there was one time we had people from 7 different communities helping sandbag.  There was one family that was on the way home to Telkwa, and they stopped here to see how they could help, it really has been incredible.”

There is still a need for people to keep clear of the riverbank says Fox “We are asking people to stay away from the riverbank until we can see just what kind of erosion has occurred.  We have put up some snow fencing in the heavier travelled areas, we just don’t want to see someone head to the river bank and suddenly find themselves in the water because the bank gave way.”

The town of Vanderhoof can apply for Disaster Financial Assistance from the province, but those applications won’t be filled out until an assessment of damage has been complete.

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