Public Safety Agency says several communities seeing spring flooding

Even as parts of the province weather a late-season spring snowstorm, the Saskatchewan Public Safety Agency (SPSA) is responding to flooding impacting communities.

“With the cooler weather that is helping maintain the water levels … we’re kind of stabilized for now,” said Shawn Jaques, president and CEO of the Water Security Agency in Saskatchewan.

As of 11 a.m. on April 23, the SPSA reported in a news release that it is receiving support requests from the Rural Municipality (RM) of Meadow Lake, while also in contact with other communities over spring flooding.

Read more:

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“There is a fair bit of snow yet in the forested areas north of Meadow Lake, so that’s something we’re watching,” Jaques explained.

The SPSA is responding to those requests for support, it said in the release.

In the RM of Meadow Lake, a declaration of local emergency was announced just before 10 a.m. on Tues, April 21.

The SPSA said that date is when it responded to the community’s request for assistance, offering response personnel and flooding equipment, which includes 40,ooo sandbags, two sandbagger machines and pumps and hoses.

“SPSA response personnel, including Type 1 and 2 crew members are in the community to assist the RM of Meadow Lake,” the organization said in a release.

“The situation is maintaining at the moment,” said Tyler Harrison when speaking to reporters on Thursday, adding that crews continue to fill sandbags and support local response efforts.

Public warnings are being sent out by the RM office through its website and Facebook page, in addition to contact residents who might be impacted. So far, no homes have been impacted by flooding in that area.

Beardy’s and Okemasis First Nation is also receiving support from the public safety agency.

That community sent a request for assistance on April 21, as well, with the SPSA responding by providing sand bags and a sand bagger on April 22.

“SPSA staff remain in contact with the community and will assist further if requested,” the SPSA noted.

Flooding conditions are expected for the communities of Foam Lake, Pierceland and the RM of St. Louis. The SPSA said it remains in contact with those areas.

Foam Lake saw some flooding on April 21 and declared a local emergency. The town’s situation is being monitored, according to the SPSA.

On April 22, the Village of Pierceland shared its own ground water flooding at its lift station. Then, the RM of St, Louis declared a local emergency on April 22, also due to flooding.

“The Emergency Services Officer (ESO) is in contact with the community,” the SPSA reported.

A high flow advisory was put out by Saskatchewan’s Water Security Agency earlier this week. The advisory covers “a large area extending from northwestern Saskatchewan near Buffalo Narrows down to the southeastern areas near Yorkton.”

Jaques said the situation is being driven by a combination of factors, including above-normal snowpack, a slower early melt and a sudden warm-up that increased water flow.

With higher daytime temperatures this week, a faster melt means river flow is increasing more quickly, with some localized areas at higher levels than expected. This has led to several communities experiencing flooding and ice jamming.

“As long as the weather stays cool, that will help … water flows off the landscape,” Jaques said.

Areas around Lloydminster, Meadow Lake, Buffalo Narrows, La Ronge, Prince Albert, the Battlefords, Watrous, Melfort, Nipawin, Tisdale, Hudson Bay and Yorkton, have been impacted.

The Water Security Agency has been in contact with more than 140 communities and First Nations to inform them of the possible impacts the spring runoff could bring.

The SPSA reported that the Water Security Agency is also mobilizing on the ground in affected areas to measure real-time water flow measurements in those communities.

With more snow still sitting in northern parts of the province, officials said on Thursday that the situation remains stable for now but could change quickly with warmer temperatures.

–with files from 980 CJME’s Jacob Bamhour