A Canadian town is being evacuated after loose ice caused flooding

“This is a difficult time for our community,” the Town of Hay River said in an updated news release Friday. “Please remember that people today are tired, worried and under a lot of stress. Be kind to one another. Take actions that are productive to get through this together.”

There is no road access in some areas, including the Vale Island area, and “the availability of essential services including health, food, transportation, etc.” is unconfirmed in the city, according to the statement.

Several rescues were carried out and property damage was reported in the city, according to an earlier report.

Tyler Martel, who lives in the Hays River area, told CNN he chose not to evacuate, despite the evacuation order.

By Friday afternoon, the water appeared to be receding in some areas, but “anything can still happen,” Martel told CNN.

“The town was unprepared because it has never happened on the south side of the bridge before,” he added, “The old town north of the bridge, it is common to have flooding at the spring, for it is an island.”

A local state of emergency and evacuation order was put in place on May 7 for the area.

“Entry into the community is limited to emergency and essential services.” says the press release. “The city will fully transition from response activities to recovery activities once the risk of ice breakup has subsided and flood risks have been mitigated.”

Mikey McBryan, a resident of Yellowknife on the north side of Great Slave Lake, recorded video Thursday of a plane, flying over the area and showing the Hay River Merlyn Carter Airport runway under water and pieces of ice in the surrounding river.

McBryan told CNN his parents lived in Hay River and damaged their basement and yard. The airport has told the community it will take at least a week before services resume, he added.

“The best part of it all is that the community sticks together,” McBryan said. “Everyone gets involved and sticks together.”