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PHOTOS: Damage from the storm impacts thousands in Sask.

Jun 30, 2014 | 8:24 AM

Thousands of people are suffering damage from flooding that prompted 16 municipalities to declare states of emergency over the weekend in Saskatchewan.

Environment Canada reported the Regina area received nearly 80 millimetres of rain, or three inches, on Sunday alone.

The Queen City, however, was not one of the worst areas hit by flooding. Yorkton, Melville, Carnduff and Esterhazy are among the communities that declared states of emergency, and the province admits that more municipalities will likely do the same.

People in those areas are now eligible to receive help from the Provincial Disaster Assistance Program (PDAP). PDAP is a disaster-assistance program available offered by the province to cover things that regular insurance does not.

Karen Lautsch with PDAP reminds residents to practice safety as they respond to the damage in their homes.

“Make sure that you take some pictures, video. Document what you're doing so that if you do have a claim with us, we can assist you as quickly as possible,” Lautsch said on Sunday.

Lautsch explained that PDAP can assist with clean-up costs, structural damages and repairs along with road damages some communities are currently facing.

More information on PDAP and what people need to know to prepare for it can be found here.

Visit the SaskEnergy website for more information and flood tips.

See the latest updates on how the water is impacting highways on the Highway Hotline website.

Communities respond to the damage

Communities are continuing to update their residents with information through releases and information shared on social media.

Some of the updates include:

Regina

The storm water draining system is now at fully capacity and underpasses are closed on Broad Street and Albert Street as well as Seventh Avenue North.

The city is asking drivers to avoid driving through large bodies of water; storm water covers are lifting due to the water levels and may not be visible.

Call SaskEnergy at 1-888-700-0427 if you have flooding in your basement and the gas will be shut off in your home as a safety precaution.

City crews continue to work to clear catch basins. The city asks that people only drive if they have to.

Updates and warnings will be posted to the Regina Fire twitter page.

Yorkton

City staff are still working to alleviate problems wherever possible. Homeowners are being asked to help out by redirecting sump pumps outside their homes and not into the sanitary system. People are also being asked to avoid driving through large standing pools of water as the backwash may damage nearby homes.

City emergency numbers are:

306 828-2490
306-828-2491
306-828-2494
306-828-2495

Melville

The City of Melville has made an application with PDAP so that residents impacted by excessive flooding have access to further assistance.

There is no garbage pick up on Monday and Tuesday due to flooded alleyways.

Gainsborough

The community is under a mandatory evacuation order, however residents can choose whether they leave their homes or not.

Fire crews went door to door Sunday night to inform residents.

The Carievale school, Carnduff school and Carnduff Legion are taking people in and providing food for people there.

Redvers

The small community is virtually being cut off by flood waters as highways are closed to the west, east and south. The road to the north, while still open, meets at the junction with Highway 48, which is closed to the Manitoba border. 

news@panow.com

On Twitter: @princealbertnow