Emergency management officials in Saskatchewan say things are improving following widespread, heavy rain that brought flooding to several parts of the province.
Emergency management commissioner Duane McKay says rain is beginning to taper off and water is starting to move out of flooded communities.
READ MORE: Arborfield issues evacuation order as breach gives way to approaching floodwaters
The four that are under states of emergency are: The towns of Carrot River and Arborfield, the Rural Municipality of Arborfield and the Shoal Lake First Nation.
Estevan was under a state of emergency but that was lifted Wednesday afternoon.
The city flooded on Sunday night when storm sewers were unable to keep up with at least 130 millimetres of rain that fell in just over two hours.
Helen Fornwald, Estevan’s emergency measures co-ordinator, says residents are still assessing damage to their homes.
About 400 people in the town of Arborfield were ordered to leave their homes on Tuesday after a road gave way, sending water rushing toward the community.
Arborfield Ald. Ashley Gray told Global News that the sewer system is still intact, but water behind a berm is an “imminent threat.”
“On Monday night, we had three track hoes out there and they built it up as much as they could. And it held and it’s still holding,” Gray said.
Highways in the Shoal Lake area are closed due to flooding and washouts.
East of La Ronge, Highway 165 remains closed between the junctions of highways 106 and 912.
READ MORE: Rain washes out Highway 165 in northern Saskatchewan
The latest road conditions can be found on the Saskatchewan highway hotline.
Carrot River officials say they have received authorization under the provincial disaster assistance program and are encouraging property owners to call their insurance agent and fill out an application, even if they don’t have insurance.
Officials in the town also say that people can start using water again for normal use but are urging moderation at this time.
READ MORE: Estevan under state of emergency after city hit by heavy rainfall
The Saskatchewan Water Security Agency says some areas received more than 100 millimetres of rain over two days and the moisture didn’t have anywhere to go because the ground was already saturated.
Rainfall warnings that were in place from the southwest corner of Saskatchewan through to the northeast have ended.
With files from The Canadian Press
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