Hay River watches river breakup closely in case of flooding

People in Hay River, N.W.T., are keeping an eye on water levels as the ice breakup has begun just south of the town.

Ice jams have caused areas of the town to flood in the past, though the past several years have been uneventful.

Kevin Wallington,spokesperson for Hay River's Emergency Measures Organization, says water levels are lower than average and that's a good thing, but people still have to be prepared for the worst.

"At a moment's notice, things can change and ice can pile up and water can come pouring down," he said.

"We always have to be aware that everybody's where they need to be, that we're on alert, that we have all the mechanisms in place."

According to the Water Survey of Canada, average breakup waterlevel for the Hay River is approximately 8 metres.On Tuesday, the river was at2.661m.

A meeting was held at the fire hallWednesday to discuss how to prepare in the event of flooding.

Estimates say breakup could be at its peak within a week.