UPDATED/PHOTOS: Fast rising waters flood parts of Buckland

“We’re just hoping the people that live there are doing OK. They should be because the house is up higher than the water table at this point,” Morton said.

Morton has since moved to an area around Little Red River Park and he’s said luckily he wasn’t affected by that flooding.

“I used to live right along … the Shell River when I was up to first year university, so I knew this area ever since I was around Prince Albert and I’ve never seen the water this high before,” he said.

“I don’t think I’ve ever seen it on the other side of this little driveway,” he continued, pointing to the underwater driveway.

Another long-time resident in the Shell River Bridge area also dropped by to see the flooding with her own eyes.

“I grew up here for over 30 years. We live just down the road. I just come here when I was a kid and bike around, so to see this amount of water is just phenomenal,” Kathy Berden said, adding she’s thankful she lives far enough away from the water that flooding doesn’t concern her.

Sadly, not every resident is so lucky.

A home located around Shell River Heights is sitting in one to two feet of water.

Residents said by midnight the water was level with the road, but by 2:30 a.m. it had come up higher surrounding the house and property in a couple feet of water, which they say came from an overflowing dike nearby.

Multiple pumps were hooked up, feverishly trying to flow water back over to the other side of the road.

A neighbour of the flooded home is taking their own measures by building a trench from dirt to keep the water from entering their property.

Reeve of the RM of Buckland Don Fyrk said it’s up to homeowners to first handle flooding that comes on their property.

“Our crews just take care of the RM stuff, so whatever happens on somebody’s property they have to take of themselves,” Fyrk said. However, he explained if someone does experience flooding and they cannot handle it on their own, the RM will try and do their best to assist in the matter.

“We'll come in and we'll try to help them,” he said. “We have pumps, we'll come in.”

As for the needs of the RM's roads and bridges, they are taking necessary precautions.

“We’re doing due diligence and pumping in some areas and trying to prevent more flooding, so far everything seems to be going along good,” he said.
He said he became aware of the Shell River Bridge flooding over last night and had detour signs posted.

“I got a call last night about 7 o’clock from one of the councillors that was there,” he said, explaining a crewman was out back in the morning around 5:45 and the river was still flowing over the bridge.

Luckily, by noon the water had quickly dropped back down roughly eight inches under the road path.

To help prevent future flooding, the RM is taking a few precautions by having crews out clearing drainage to help keep as much water under control as possible.

Right now he said if anyone sees flooding of roads and bridges call the RM office and they’ll try and get out as quick as possible.

“Just be aware.”

Fyrk said on Thursday that Saskatchewan Fire and Safety will be supplying the RM with sandbags and residents can pick up sandbags upon request at the RM. However, the residents will have to fill the bags themselves. The bags are already available.

RM of St. Louis declares state of emergency

The RM of St. Louis is also facing spring woes.

On Wednesday evening they declared a state of emergency due to flooding.

“There some water over roads in places … some culverts that are getting washed out and we’ve got some flooding on private lands,” said Reeve Henry Gareau. “The RM needs to be declared a disaster and we expect a lot more water to come yet.”

Gareau said they are currently trying to fix all the flooding issues, but believes this in only the beginning and it will get worse before it gets better.

“We’re already fixing, but like I say we’re expecting a lot more water, so we’re just going to monitor and make sure we flag the dangerous areas and once the water stops running we can start fixing,” he said.

Currently there is also a boil water advisory in effect for the Hamlet of Hoey due to flood waters, but Gareau expects that to be over by Thursday morning.

“The residents know it’s been a tough year and we’re doing whatever we can.”

The RM of St. Louis includes the Hamlets of Bellevue, Domremy and Hoey.

sstone@panow.com

On Twitter: @sarahstone84

by Sarah Stone

UPDATED/PHOTOS: Fast rising waters flood parts of Buckland

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