First Nations Continue To Battle Flooding

First Nations Continue To Battle Flooding

Monday, April 18, 2011 at 15:29

 

 

Rising flood waters are again causing problems at the Red Earth First Nation.

 

A combination of high water levels, ice and debris on the Carrot River have led to flooding in the community.

 

Chief Ian McKay says several hundred people have now been affected.

 

McKay says he and other band officials will continue to assess the situation throughout the day.

 

Officials with the Saskatchewan Watershed Authority say flows in the nearby Carrot River are dropping.

 

However a suspected ice-jam has lifted water over the road between the two portions of the reserve.

 

Richard Kent of the Prince Albert Grand Council say crews will be travelling to the northern part of the reserve this afternoon to assess the impact on houses.

 

Meantime the chief of the Sakimay First Nation says her reserve is coping with floodwaters of their own.

 

Lyn Acoose says they have begun to move people out of homes in the Qu’Appelle valley and near the beach area.

 

She adds crews were pumping water away from local roads to ensure they don’t wash out again.

 

The Watershed Authority notes the coolish weather has helped slow waterflows.

 

However they also say it means the entire situation will be more drawn out.