A washout on the Alaska Highway south of Watson Lake over the Canada Day weekend has had immediate ripple effects in Whitehorse and other areas of the Yukon.

According to a post on the Yukon Department of Highways and Public Works on Facebook, the Alaska Highway has been closed at KM 898.

“This is about 50 to 60 kilometres south of Watson Lake, or 125 kilometres north of Liard Hot Springs on the BC side of the border near Contact Creek. Highway 37 (Stewart-Cassiar) remains open for use,” the post said.

Some trucks are using that route to keep some Whitehorse supermarkets stocked on a belated basis.

Photos and a video posted of the washout on social media shows a huge gap where the highway has been washed out, creating a hole that appears to be about three metres deep.

The Yukon government told the Star this morning that the British Columbia government is looking after repairs.

But the B.C. government issued a statement to the Star saying the highway is actually under federal control.

A representative from the federal government said the matter is one for British Columbia’s highways department.

“For this particular matter, please contact B.C.’s Ministry of Transportation and Infrastructure,” said Hicham Ayoun, senior communications advisor, Media Relations, Communications Group Transport Canada/Government of Canada.

Highway 37, the alternate route into the Yukon, is currently open but is being menaced by the two different wildfires.

“The B.C. Wildfire Service is responding to two wildfires in the northeast corner of the Cassiar Fire Zone, which may be visible from Highway 37 or from surrounding locations, including Watson Lake, Yukon. Currently these wildfires are not impacting the travel corridor.”

On Saturday, a few hours after the washout, the Whitehorse Real Canadian Superstore had posted on its Facebook page it was limiting the purchase of staples such as toilet paper, Kleenex, milk, eggs and paper towels to two per person in anticipation of supply shortages.

By Sunday morning, there was no toilet paper in stock at the store, and Kleenex was in short stock as well.

Signs had been posted on the front doors – fuelling the hoarding, many believe.

No signs were visible on either Walmart or Wykes Independent about shortages, but there was short stock of produce in the Independent.

Owner Mark Wykes did not return a call from the Star seeking information about the shortages.

Supplies of paper products such as toilet paper were scarce at Walmart as well.

On the Superstore’s Facebook page, Dawn Fran wrote, “I went to Superstore and no Kleenex, well they’re was but it was in boxes. Dollarama was out. Walmart just a few.”

Yukon Highways and Public Works Minister Nils Clarke was not available to comment on the problems before press time this afternoon.

“That’s how most of our stuff comes up, so it’s a definite inconvenience.,” said Watson Lake MLA Patti McLeod of the Yukon Party.

McLeod said she drove back to Watson Lake from Whitehorse on Sunday, and noticed a steady stream of traffic.

She said she hoped people were being diverted from the highway at Fort Nelson, and directed to the detour around the Cassiar Highway.

McLeod said she hadn’t noticed any increase in people staying in Watson Lake as yet.

High water and flooding closed the Alaska Highway for several days in June 2012.

That prompted panic buying in Whitehorse supermarkets, with shelves quickly stripped of dairy products, products, fresh produce and diapers.