Effect of flooding in Saskatchewan not yet known

It will be some time before the damage is known from the massive amounts of rain that’s fallen in Saskatchewan this week, as the rain needs to end before any assessment can be made.

“Once the rain ends it is the beginning of the clean up and recovery which can be a very long process depending on the types of damages that have occurred,” explained Mieka Cleary, Deputy Commissioner of Emergency Management and Planning.

“Affected communities will go out and do a full assessment around, you know, roadways, bridges, river systems and that sort of thing.”

The massive amounts of rain have left homes and basements flooded.

Clearly confirmed one family in Estevan is being helped and relocated by the Ministry of Social Services as a result of damage from flooding in their home.

Additionall, 36 residents at the long-term care home in Arborfield were temporarily moved as water began to encroach on the building.

The Saskatchewan Water Security Agency also warned of some minor out-of-bank flows along some rivers and lakes.

Defining moment for Saskatchewan crops

Farmed are in dire need of some sun and warmth after being pelted by heavy rain for days.

Saskatchewan agriculture journalist Kevin Hursh  said some farmers could have monster crops to harvest; however, others will be lost to flooding, lodging or disease issues.

Hursh added he doesn’t remember a previous July rain as wide-ranging and persistent as the recent severe weather.

The rain was highly variable, with some places getting an inch and a half while others received four or five inches.

Hursh said the rain might be the event that defines the crop year.

– With files from Gerald Bauman.