Warm weather over Easter to speed up melt in Saskatchewan:official

<p>REGINA – The flood situation in Saskatchewan isn’t expected to get any worse over the Easter weekend, but not a lot better either.</p> <p>John Fahlman with the Saskatchewan Watershed Authority says the threat of flooding continues for the southwest corner of the province, around Val Marie as well as in the northeast, around Yorkton, Kamsack and Lake Lenore.</p> <p>He says the southeastern parts of the province are still dealing with flooded property and will be for some time yet.</p> <p>On Friday, a state of emergency was called in the town of Lebret to go along with its voluntary evacuation notice.</p> <p>”There’s about 40 properties and it’s coming across at both ends,” said Mayor Carl Olson. “The water is quite deep at the south-east end of St. George’s Avenue.</p> <p>”Once the lake gets over the road there’s very little as a village you can do. Some people are still sandbagging their own properties.”</p> <p>The voluntary evacuation order was actually put in place last week to warn residents how bad the situation could get. So far no one has left their homes but Olson said some are moving furniture and other valuables to higher floors in their homes just in case.</p> <p>Some good news for two First Nations – the evacuation of the Cowessess and Red Earth First Nations has ended, and people are being allowed back home.</p> <p>More than 750 people were evacuated over the past week as officials feared the flooding of an access road into the north part of the community would cut them off.</p> <p>There are 25 provincial highways affected by flooding and 12 sections are closed with detours in effect.</p> <p>Doug Wakabayashi with the Ministry of Highways says motorists are encouraged to use the Highway Hotline this weekend.</p> <p>There are still 15 communities under a state of emergency in Saskatchewan as a result of the spring melt.</p> <p>(CKRM, CJWW, CJME)</p>