The Yukon NDP is calling for a central platform and more government co-ordination as the public throws itself into sandbagging efforts to fight the historic floods around the territory.

“We have seen an outpouring of generosity from people wanting to help out, but most of them don’t know where their help is needed,” NDP Leader Kate White said Monday.

“Volunteers are resorting to social media groups to try to figure out where to go.

“This results in some houses being completely missed because they are not on the social media map – especially elderly people, who need critical help from volunteers to try to save their home.

“Several regions of the Yukon are struggling from never-before-seen water levels and severe flooding risks,” states a news release from the party.

“As dozens of houses are at risk and hundreds of volunteers are participating in the sandbagging efforts, the Yukon NDP cannot help but notice that a key piece in the government response is missing, and that’s to help co-ordinate the community response and the volunteer efforts.”

Emily Tredger, the NDP MLA for Whitehorse Centre, said “it’s been amazing to see so many Yukon businesses volunteering their time during work hours to help sandbag.

“We look forward to seeing the Yukon’s largest employer, the Yukon government, follow suit.” 

The Yukon NDP is calling on the government to:

• Set up a central platform to indicate where sandbagging operations are located; 

• Allow for homeowners to sign-up for help, both online and in person at their local sandbagging station, so volunteers and community organizations can connect with them directly. Focus should also be made to help homeowners who are physically unable to participate in the flooding response efforts. 

• Allow Yukon employees who are willing and able to volunteer to do so during work hours. 

• Having important information be available at sandbagging stations, such as a phone number for sand and bag delivery, or instructions that bags should be filled to 60-per-cent capacity.

• Making porta-potties available at all sandbagging sites. 

“We are in contact with the government regarding these recommendations and encourage them to implement them as soon as possible,” White said.

The community response has been incredible, and I believe that if we allow people to both ask and offer help, that will go a long way to addressing the need.”

Community Services Minister Richard Mostyn told the Star Monday an estimated 500,000 sandbags have been placed around affected areas, with another 500,000 on order.

Responding Tuesday to the NDP MLAs’ comments, cabinet spokeswoman Renée Francoeur said by email:

“Our government has undertaken the largest flood mitigation effort the Yukon has ever seen. We continue to adapt and deploy resources in response to a rapidly changing situation in multiple locations.

“Our Incident Management Teams are on the ground and have been working very hard for weeks on end to protect properties and support all residents,” Francoeur added.

“They have been prioritizing their response based on properties most at risk, and expanding operations from there.

“Our government organized and quickly requested to bring in members of the Canadian Armed Forces to also help support our response. Everyone has been working very hard, and we are grateful for the community support in these efforts,” she added.

The government has an interactive flood map on https://yukon.ca/emergencies for volunteers to check the location of all sandbagging stations.

This site is updated with the new information as it becomes available, including evacuation alerts.

People who need assistance with their properties can phone the public information officer at 332-7084, Francoeur added.

For up to date information about flooding across the territory, people can also email flooding@yukon.ca.

Information on how to properly sandbag and build a berm has been made available to residents of Carcross, Tagish, Marsh Lake and Lake Laberge and is now posted at sandbagging stations.

If more sand is required at one of the stations, staff should be contacted at 332-7084 and additional materials will be delivered.

“We are monitoring stations throughout the day to ensure materials are replenished,” Francoeur said. 

“We are also looking into making porta-potties available at sandbagging stations.