SASKATOON – A third First Nation in Saskatchewan has declared a state of emergency.
Around 200 people are set to evacuate from the Onion Lake First Nation as flood waters threaten the reserve located about 50 kilometres north of Lloydminster.
Preparations are underway in Lloydminster to house the evacuees at Lakeland College if they are forced to leave their homes.
States of emergency were declared yesterday at the Sakamay and Poundmaker First Nations.
More than 50 people were forced from their homes off the Poundmaker reserve and put up in surrounding hotels.
Five other municipalities remain under a state of emergency.
In Radisson, 50 homes are still at risk and homeowners are set to evacuate while pumps continue to work to lower the water level.
Officials in the community say they feel there is not an immediate danger to the homes and the cool weather over the last two days has helped the situation.
Water was still rising last night in Borden and crews there created a ditch to divert the water east.
Several people have had to leave their homes due to access issues.
Just outside of Saskatoon, there is a concern with localized flooding in Asquith, with two homes at risk.
The Water Security Agency is also concerned about ice jams on the North Saskatchewan River between the Borden Bridge and Prince Albert.
Officials say ice jams can cause rapid rises in water levels, leading to the potential for serious and significant flooding.
WSA is also keeping a close eye on the weather. Warmer temperatures are forecast and officials say conditions will get worse when that happens.
That is particularly worrisome for Radisson and Borden, where officials say there is still 70 to 80 per cent snow cover in the area.
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