Maple Creek declares state of emergency

Maple Creek is under a state of emergency after torrential rains Thursday night.

On Friday morning the MacDougal Dam reportedly broke, flooding Highway 21.

Two trailer parks in Maple Creek were evacuated. Currently, the town is working to evacuate other areas as basements begin to flood.

“They’re evacuating some of the other areas, some of the crescents, and there is sandbagging going on,” Captain Ed Dean from the Town of Maple Creek said.

Dean also said it is important that residents do not go into flooded basements and try to turn off the power.

The hospital has been moved to a safer area because the water has moved so close. Some patients have been moved to Swift Current or discharged. A nursing home near the hospital may be evacuated if needed.

Students from the local schools have volunteered to help around the community, including sandbagging. Residents are signing up to help with the clean up efforts.

Dean says there were torrential rains in the area overnight Thursday. Just after noon on Friday, water was completely level with a bridge near the town.

Motorists are being detoured once they hit Swift Current. Drivers will need to continue on Highway 4 to Highway 7 near Kindersley before they can head west again.

“We’re asking them to stop at Swift Current,” Dean said. “Do not proceed further west because they will get turned back at Maple Creek.”

A three kilometer stretch of the Trans-Canada Highway is completely underwater. Kirsten Leatherdale from Highways and Infrastructure said it is not known when the area will be drivable because of possible erosion and potholes.

Around 5,000 cars drive the route between Swift Current and the Alberta border per day.

A bridge on Highway 271 from Maple Creek to Fort Walsh is washed out. Reduced speeds are recommended on Highway 310 because the water is right up to the shoulder and the wind causes waves every once in a while.

The town expects the water to crest Friday afternoon.

In addition, Cypress Hills Provincial Park is closed until further notice.

For more information on the highway conditions, click here