Spring floods are shutting down roadways and prompting local emergencies in several communities in central and northern Saskatchewan.
Twenty-six communities have issued local states of emergency due to widespread flooding, including the Rural Municipality of Birch Hills.
Crews are working to reinforce a berm in the area that is currently holding back hundreds of acres of water, according to Reeve Brent Fenner. They are trying to protect the small hamlet of Brancepeth from the water.
The community is only accessible by foot right now, Fenner said. People are using ATVs and side-by-side vehicles to help get people onto the highway where they can access their vehicles.
Saskatchewan’s public safety agency is dealing with 21 active floods. This year, the province has seen a total of 26 floods, nearly triple the amount compared to this time last year.
Floods are forcing several road and highway closures across the affected areas.
More than 20 roads have been damaged in the Rural Municipality of Fish Creek, including a major gravel road that completely caved in about 15 metres.
The combination of late snowfall followed by a quick warm up has been a major contributing factor.
On Monday evening, “historic floodwaters” forced evacuations of two Saskatchewan First Nations, according to the Prince Albert Grand Council (PAGC).
Shoal Lake Cree Nation and Red Earth Cree Nation, about 220 kilometres northeast of Prince Albert, began moving priority residents out of their homes late Monday.
Evacuations expanded Tuesday to include elders, pre and postnatal members and other high-risk individuals.
According to PAGC, river flows have reached record levels with water rising nearly three metres since April 29.
At least one resident has been rescuing community members from their flooded homes by canoe.
With files from Rory MacLean
