Prairie farmers, communities tackle flooding as more declare emergencies

Two Saskatchewan communities remain cut off because of flooding and emergency officials warn water levels are still rising in other areas.

There has been no access to the villages of Gainsborough and Carievale since a deluge of rain over the weekend caused widespread flooding in eastern Saskatchewan and western Manitoba.

Patrick Boyle with the Water Security Agency says there will be significant peaks in water systems over the next few days as the flood moves downstream.

He says the agency is very concerned about Round and Crooked Lakes in the Lower Qu’Appelle River watershed, which extends from Regina to the Manitoba boundary.

Nearly 90 communities in Saskatchewan and Manitoba have declared emergencies and more than 500 people have been forced to leave their homes.

Near the village of Carievale, Jace Brown says everything on his farm is under water except for his house, which was saved because people in the community rallied to build a sandbag wall.

Saskatchewan Premier Brad Wall said Tuesday that early estimates show the “unprecedented rainstorm and flooding” could cost more than the 2011 flood because it’s so widespread. However, Wall also said it’s hard to assess some of the highway damage because the roads are still under water.

The premier was scheduled to tour the hardest hit areas Wednesday.