Thank you, Mr. Speaker. On Saturday May 8th, as I was sitting in my living room, we heard the siren that we did not want to hear. It was the siren to advise residents it was time to evacuate the island as the water level had reached the 15-meter mark. At this point in time, the community called a local state of emergency and kicked in the plan. As residents started leaving the island, the fire department and volunteers started going door to door to see who was going to leave and who was going to stay.
Mr. Speaker, we saw more than 400 residents pack up their necessities and move to the mainland. We were fortunate that the residents of the long-term care facility and home care were moved off the island earlier. The long-term care residents and four staff were evacuated to Norman Wells and home care residents were moved to a B&B on the mainland before the siren went. Some of the evacuees were flown to Fort Smith, almost 700 kilometers away, because alternative places in Hay River and Yellowknife were not available. These evacuees ended up staying at the town recreation centre and later moved to the college housing. The Town of Fort Smith was outstanding and did a great job hosting all the evacuees. I would like to thank them for opening their homes and being amazing hosts. A week later, we moved people to evacuate other people to Hay River and they got the same treatment. Others ended up staying at Tent City that the village set up, others camped at friends' and family's yards or stayed within their own homes. It was amazing to see how the community pulled together and helped each other.
On Sunday, the mayor and the EMO team had the EOC set up at the town garage. This is where the food, water, donations, and supplies were available for the people that remained. On Monday, the first load of donated food, water and supplies arrived. I witnessed volunteers and staff work to get these things organized and ready for residents. I have attached a list of volunteers, staff, and businesses to this statement which I would like to deem as read. I realize I may have missed some people and business and for that I apologize. All the help offered was greatly appreciated. Like the old saying goes, many hands make light work.
On Thursday, we felt the water was going down. Unfortunately, like Jean Marie River, it was short-lived as we seen the water raise to levels we had not see on Friday. It was worse than the 1963 flood. We saw at least 40 percent of the island under water. However, in saying this, the community was able to get through the flood and now we are in the recovery stage and this is where it's going to take some time. Residents have many questions and are looking to us for answers and support during this difficult time.
Mr. Speaker, I would be remise not to say thank you to all the tremendous outpouring of help, assistance, kindness, sacrifice that was shown to us from Northerners and Southerners alike during this difficult time. In a future statement, I am going to try and thank them.
In closing, Mr. Speaker, I would like to thank the village leadership, their staff, volunteers, and the regional EMO team on the work they have done. You are all heroes in my book. Thank you, Mr. Speaker.