Rising water levels threaten several communities across Canada

Several communities across Canada continue to face emergency flooding situations, as water levels reach unprecedented levels.

Rising water levels in Saskatchewan are threatening one of the province’s busiest highways, as water is nearly at the bottom of the bridge on Highway 11 in the Lumsden Vallery, north of Regina.

If water continues to rise, it will likely flow over the road said Jim Hipkin, reeve of the Rural Municipality of Lumsden.

Saskatchewan’s Water Security Agency said Monday that Wascana Creek will likely rise over a metre as temperatures warm up. The city of Regina is asking everyone to stay away from sandbags and other flood barriers as the water levels swell.

Over the weekend three additional communities in Saskatchewan declared states of emergency: Cowessess First Nation, James Smith First Nation and the RM of Fish Creek. The additions bring the province’s total to 12 communities under a state of emergency due to flooding.

There was good news in one Prairie town however on Monday morning. The town of Radisson, Sask., – located approximately 70 km northwest of Saskatoon – lifted its state of emergency as the worst of the flooding in Radisson and neighbouring regions appeared to have passed.

Numerous roads in Manitoba have been closed due to washouts and flooding. The closures and warnings began last week after firefighters had to rescue a 12-year old girl and her father from icy flood water.

Several townships in Ontario have declared states of emergency this spring, including the Attawapiskat and Kashechewan First Nations, Bracebridge and Huntsville, Ont.

Flood warnings remain in effect in Minden, Ont., since a state of emergency was declared on April 20.

Town officials said on Saturday that conditions are improving, but at a very slow rate. Officials from Trent-Severn Waterway are estimating that it will take at least two more weeks before there is considerable improvement in water levels.

On Monday afternoon town officials said they will be asking the province of Ontario to declare Minden Hills a disaster area.

The Canadian Red Cross said Monday it is helping people who have been displaced by flooding in northeastern Ontario.

Volunteers are working with local authorities in communities along the James Bay coast where ice breakup is in progress on several rivers, said Mike Morton, Provincial Director of Disaster Management with the Canadian Red Cross.

Morton said there are support centres set up in numerous communities, including Thunder Bay, Sudbury, Cornwall, Temiskaming Shores and Kapuskasing.

Meanwhile, officials from the Insurance Bureau of Canada are kicking off Emergency Preparedness Week by urging Canadians to protect themselves from severe weather.

The IBC said Canadians should learn more about the weather risks in their region and prepare an emergency plan, including keeping an emergency kit on hand and learning how to protect your home from potentially devastating flooding during severe weather.

*With files from Lara Schroeder, Global News, the Canadian Press and Postmedia News