Nahanni Butte, Fort Liard told to closely watch coming rain

Nahanni Butte and Fort Liard are being told to “monitor conditions closely” with a rainstorm forecast over the Nahanni and broader Dehcho in the coming days.

In a Wednesday bulletin, the territorial government said a rain event that began on Tuesday night “will persist over the next several days and into the weekend,” bringing up to 40 mm of rain across much of the region.

Pockets of up to 100 mm are possible, the GNWT added.

Rain will help in Fort Simpson, which is under an evacuation order as more than 100 firefighters tackle wildfire FS016, but it poses a potential flood risk elsewhere.

Water levels on the Liard River are slightly above average, while the South Nahanni River’s level is well above average.

“Those planning to be out on the land should be aware that rainfall may cause rapid rises in water levels and flow, particularly on mountain rivers such as the South Nahanni River,” the GNWT stated.