Disaster relief coming to affected Sask. communities

Recovery and help are on their way for several communities across Saskatchewan.

The Provincial Disaster Assistance Program hasstarted to establish disaster relief centres in areas that have been hit the hardest after severe flooding.

PDAP has approved 11 communities to receiveprovincial assistance. So far 20 have applied.

• Minister Jim Reiter to tour flooded Sask. communities of Arborfield and Carrot River
• 200 from Red Earth Cree Nation evacuated to Saskatoon due to flooding

The approved communities include:

• Town of Arborfield.
• RM ofArborfield.
• Carrot River.
• Estevan.
• RM of Foam Lake.
• Lawtonia.
• Mankota.
• Meota.
• RM of Moose Range.
• Watrous.
• Yorkton.

Provincial workers will establish a centre in Arborfield on Sunday,which will serve as the centre for the surrounding area.

• Sask. couple's wedding nearly washed out due to flooding in Arborfield
• Cleanup underway from Saskatchewan flooding

The centre will be located atthe town hall at 213 Main Street and will be open duringthe following hours:

• Sunday, July 17: 4 p.m. - 8 p.m.
• Monday, July 18: 9 a.m. - 8 p.m.
• Tuesday, July 19: 9 a.m. - 12 p.m.

The first center opened up in Estevan yesterday.After one day of taking claims and meeting with people, 75 claimants have been approved for financial assistance.

There is still no definitive number on how many people have applied successfully across the province.