Record-breaking winds and waves battered Tuktoyaktuk, N.W.T., damaging homes, flooding roads, and forcing emergency cleanup efforts.
Arctic Community Reels From Severe Storm
Tuktoyaktuk, a coastal hamlet in the Northwest Territories, is recovering after a destructive weekend storm brought powerful winds and heavy waves. Local officials confirmed that at least two homes were damaged and waterfront infrastructure was hit hard, prompting immediate emergency response.
Record-Breaking Water Levels Reported
Environment Canada said the system produced the highest water height ever recorded in the area, reaching 2.62 metres. The storm surge exceeded the previous record of 2.2 metres, well above the usual 0.85-metre high tide. Meteorologists described the event as “exceptional,” with winds strong enough to disable monitoring equipment at the local airport.
Wind and Flooding Leave Lasting Damage
Sustained winds over 40 kilometres per hour, with gusts topping 100 kilometres per hour, battered the Arctic coast for hours on Saturday and into Sunday morning. The storm flooded low-lying areas, damaged shorelines, and cut off power and phone service, which has since been restored.
Emergency Measures Put in Place
The N.W.T. Department of Municipal and Community Affairs (MACA) said emergency shelter was offered at the community centre. Local leaders, including the hamlet’s council, the Tuktoyaktuk Community Corporation, and the Hunters and Trappers Committee, met with the MLA to coordinate recovery efforts. Cleanup priorities include clearing sewage and water lines, repairing roads, and removing debris.
Impact Felt Beyond Tuktoyaktuk
The low-pressure system also battered other Arctic communities, including Paulatuk, Sachs Harbour, Gjoa Haven, and Cambridge Bay, where wind speeds climbed past 90 kilometres per hour. Officials said the wide reach of the storm highlights the vulnerability of northern settlements to extreme climate events.
Resilience Tested After Major Investment
Just last month, Tuktoyaktuk celebrated the completion of a $54-million shoreline protection project designed to shield the community from flooding and erosion. Despite the investment, the storm’s unprecedented intensity shows the continuing risk posed by climate change in Canada’s Arctic.
For continuous coverage and real-time updates, keep following Maple News Wire.
