Localized flooding has caused James Smith Cree Nation to declare a state of emergency.
The First Nation is evacuating several homes as poor roads caused by rising water levels restrict access to the community.
Twenty people from the James Smith Cree Nation were forced from their homes Tuesday night, and the homes of as many as 90 people were quickly becoming inaccessible. The community can’t get essentials such as water, sewage and emergency services to residents because of the roads.
Community officials have since asked the Canadian Red Cross to help in evacuating more than 65 residents to Melfort.
“We are evacuating people to Melfort to get hotel rooms for the time being. The ones who can’t get essential services, those are the people we are evacuating first — and the ones that are sick and the ones that are on dialysis,” said band councillor Alvin Moostoos.
James Smith Cree Nation has experienced similar rising water levels, which have washed out main access roads, in previous years.
