There are now 54 communities in southeast Saskatchewan that have declared local states of emergency because of flooding.
This number includes four First Nations – Starblanket, Ochapowace, Peepeekisis and Kawacatoose.
Premier Brad Wall is also getting a first-hand look at some of the damaged areas today.
Saskatchewan’s Deputy Commissioner of Emergency Management Colin King says the common issues are overland flooding, flooded basements and lack of access to roads and homes.
He says you don’t often see such large amounts of rainfall concentrated in a short period of time.
“A unique event, it was a combination of sudden impact as well as gradual impact,” he says. “As that sudden impact moved to other areas, it was all concentrated in a very short time period and the operation is going very well.”
King adds the provincial flood response includes some welcome help from available forest firefighters.
He says the threat to St. Peter’s Hospital in Melville has eased because of flood mitigation efforts and the priority now is communities around Round, Crooked and Last Mountain lakes.
Water Security Agency spokesman Patrick Boyle says Round and Crooked lakes are a particular concern.
“We’re very concerned about Round and Crooked lakes in the Qu’Appelle system,” he says. “The lakes are rising and we should see the peaks moving through over the next few days. Crooked Lake is high and could exceed the 2011 peak now. Round Lake will be rising over the next two days and we’re also watching the peak there but we’re looking at everything being around the 2011 levels.”
He says Crooked Lake is about 2.2 metres higher than normal while Round and Last Mountain lakes are about 1.2 metres higher than usual.