Province moves from response to recovery in flood efforts

McKay said that in terms of their operations, they will continue to focus on the Qu'Appelle region where all of the lakes have seen the peaks move through and are starting to decline, with the exception of Last Mountain Lake.

“We have a significant amount of resources down in that particular area to ensure… we move from response to recovery and clean-up,” McKay said, adding that they have established an independent command post in the area.

“In years past, a lot of this will eventually beach itself along the shore and will need to be picked up.”

He said they are working closely with those effected to organize when and how boats will gather the debris left in the lakes to move it to the shores. From there it will be picked up and disposed of in an environmentally friendly way.

McKay is also reminding people to stay off the lakes and to keep safety in mind during cleanup.

“We are still quite concerned for some of the safety of the people in particular areas that have seen some of the damage,” he said.

“In general in the cleanup there is also opportunity for injury so we are encouraging people to take appropriate steps.”

Elsewhere in the province there is also a strong move towards recovery including in the Gainsborough, Carnduff, and Carivale areas where recovery centres are starting to open. All key ministries, crowns, and agencies in support of recovery will be available there including some non government agencies like Red Cross.

There has already been a recovery centre opened in Melville where 476 people registered.

“We saw good participation from the community members and I think from each of the agencies that were present there… (we heard) that we were hitting our mark in providing assistance,” McKay said.

In addition, McKay said that they are working with the RM of Humboldt to make a plan of action because water accumulating is backing up into farmland.

From the flooding, the Provincial Disaster Assistance Program (PDAP) still has 86 designations and have received 315 applications to the program so far.

As the province moves forward to recovery the Water Security Agency said their only concern is more rain.

“The only risk right now is obviously another rainfall or the localized storm systems that could create specific issues. That's something that we are watching,” Water Security Agency's Patrick Boyle explained.

Lake levels and water flow are decreasing in most of the effected areas. Boyle explained those left are expected to peak this week.

Drinking water advisories remain in Lember, Killaly, Welwyn, Crooked Lake Provincial Park, Moosomin Provincial Park and five other communities.

Highways across the province continue to reopen although there may still be water on some sections. A sign or flag person will be set up in those areas to advise drivers and the Highway Hotline has updated conditions.

There are still 236 people from different communities displaced from their homes due to flooding. Social Services provides accommodation and food support with 128 people from Carnduff choosing to camp or stay with friends or family.

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by Kelly Malone

Province moves from response to recovery in flood efforts

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