SPSA: 45 disaster applications filed due to spring flooding

“I have seen neighbours and communities support communities, local organizations and municipalities, working side by side to ensure their world is safe.”

A provincial recovery task team was expanded to include the ministries of Environment, Agriculture and Government Relations, security agencies and other stakeholders.

Speaking for the Ministry of Highways, Devin Pacholik said that three bridges were washed out, including one south of Foam Lake, a second near Brancepeth and the Smoothstone River bridge, which provides road access to the Northern Village of Pinehouse Lake and Patuanak.

A temporary bridge has restored one lane of traffic, but drivers are being reminded to be very cautious and check the Highway Hotline for road updates before travelling.

The collapsed Smoothstone Bridge near Pinehouse, in northern Saskatchewan. (Image Credit: Submitted)

Reeve Linda Clavelle of the RM of Buckland said the response in her RM, one of the hardest-hit, with damaged roads and high water, is ongoing.

“Our attention is now focused on applying for funding assistance to help with the massive repairs required and getting the work assessed and done,” she wrote in an update posted to the RM’s website.

“The RM must first contribute about $400,000 to repairs before the federal PDAP assistance kicks in, so our budget is being stretched very thin! Where there has been structural damage that makes a bridge unsafe, the bridge will be closed and marked. Please be safe and obey all road signage,” Clavelle said.

The RM of Paddockwood also issued an update Thursday afternoon, saying that some repairs are being done temporarily to allow people to drive. Others will take longer to fix because of the scale of the damage.

“Emergency repairs at our two largest washout sites are not feasible right now. Materials are on order, and we are working closely with provincial agencies on the best path forward. We expect a formal update on these two sites within the next two weeks,” said the RM.

Their website lists 10 ongoing road closures. The municipality has hired outside contractors to complete some of the repairs. Repairs have not been completed on White Star Road.

The City of Prince Albert will reopen Little Red River Park on Friday but said people should stay off the riverbanks because floodwaters are causing unknown levels of erosion.

The water level at Anglin Lake is above full, but is declining, as is the water coming into the lake. Downstream, elevated water levels will remain for several days, with the full effects of high water hitting the Highway 2 bridge crossing Thursday or Friday and Little Red River Park seeing the results in two or three days.

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susan.mcneil@pattisonmedia.com

by Susan McNeil

SPSA: 45 disaster applications filed due to spring flooding

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