Sask. flood waters receding, evacuees could be allowed back home soon
623 Saskatchewan residents out of their homes as of Saturday morning
Hundreds of people forced to leave their homes because of flooding in Saskatchewan could be returning home soon.
The province provided an update Saturday morning on the flooding situation, particularly in areas around the Carrot River.
On Thursday, more than 200 Red Earth First Nation residents in northeast Saskatchewan were sent to a Saskatoon evacuation centre and hotel because of rising water levels along the Carrot River.
- Arborfield, Sask., lifts mandatory evacuation order
- 'Sad to see': Minister Jim Reiter tours Arborfield and Carrot River
- 200 from Red Earth Cree Nation evacuated to Saskatoon due to flooding
More Red Earth residents were evacuated on Friday night because of the potential for high water. In total, 576 Red Earth residents were sent to Saskatoon, all of whom were "health priority" individuals and their families.
But today, the province said the Carrot River is receding and officials are expecting things to continue to improve this weekend. Emergency management commissioner Duane McKay said "conditions in Red Earth are improving rapidly".
Review this morning in Red Earth indicated water did not come up as much as local officials anticipated. No critical infrastructure impacted
—@TweeterMillsCBCA review was done this morning and local officials said no critical infrastructure had been impacted by flooding.
As of this morning, the province said there were 623 residents forced to leave their homes:
- Estevan: 22
- Arborfield: 25
- Red Earth First Nation: 576
People from the Shoal Lake Cree Nation, which is just east of Red Earth, have all returned home.
And that's it for the SK flooding teleconference! In summary: Things are improving, hoping to get people home ASAP, assistance now the focus
—@TweeterMillsCBCAn official with the Provincial Disaster Assistance Program said there are now 12 communities approved for disaster assistance.
On Sunday, PDAP said it was opening a disaster relief centre in Arborfield, Sask., which declared a state of emergency earlier this week after torrential rain, flash flooding and breached berms.