The City of Whitehorse is getting ready for the spring thaw, warning residents about potential landslides in the downtown area. Officials note similarities between this year’s snowpack and that of 2022, when landslides caused road closures and threatened homes along Robert Service Way.
Robert Dickson, the City of Whitehorse’s engineering services manager, highlights risk areas spanning from Takhini to the south access road along Robert Service Way. He reassures residents about the airport’s operations remaining unaffected by any major events.
As temperatures rise, the slow melt rate could quickly accelerate, leading to debris movement along the escarpment. To enhance monitoring efforts, the city team has installed additional sensors and increased geotechnical inspections at key locations.
Regarding emergency response, Ursula Geisler, the city’s emergency manager, is communicating with property owners in high- and moderate-risk zones to prepare for potential hazards. Residents are advised to have a 72-hour emergency kit ready, akin to packing for a three-day camping trip. Additionally, planning for evacuation accommodation is recommended.
Residents will receive updates through local radio, social media, and the Yukon Government’s Alert Ready system, which can deliver emergency information directly to phones. Geisler mentions door-to-door notifications and collaboration with partner agencies to ensure evacuated residents receive necessary support.
In addressing long-term solutions, alongside ongoing threat monitoring, the city is exploring permanent measures. In 2024, the city secured $45 million from the federal government to stabilize the slopes. While no decisions are final, reshaping the escarpment for increased resilience and promoting vegetative growth to stabilize the soil are being considered. Past precautions near Robert Service Way include the installation of concrete slabs and road closure gates during high landslide risk periods.
