Sask. flood waters receding, evacuees could be allowed back home soon

Hundreds of people forced to leave their homes because of flooding in Saskatchewan could be returning home soon.

The province provided an update Saturday morningon the flooding situation, particularly in areas around the Carrot River.

On Thursday, more than 200 Red Earth First Nation residentsin northeast Saskatchewan were sent to a Saskatoon evacuation centre and hotel because of rising water levels along the Carrot River.

• Arborfield, Sask., lifts mandatory evacuation order
• 'Sad to see': Minister Jim Reiter tours Arborfield and Carrot River
• 200 from Red Earth Cree Nation evacuated to Saskatoon due to flooding

More Red Earth residents were evacuated on Friday night because of the potential for high water. In total, 576 Red Earth residents were sent to Saskatoon, all of whom were"health priority" individuals and their families.

But today, the province said the Carrot River is receding and officials are expecting things to continue to improve this weekend. Emergency managementcommissionerDuane McKaysaid "conditions in Red Earth are improving rapidly".

A review was done this morning and local officials said no critical infrastructure hadbeen impacted by flooding.

As of this morning, the province said there were 623 residents forced to leave their homes:

• Estevan: 22
• Arborfield: 25
• Red Earth First Nation: 576

People from the Shoal Lake Cree Nation, which is just east of Red Earth, have all returned home.

An official with the Provincial Disaster Assistance Programsaid there are now 12 communities approved for disaster assistance.

On Sunday, PDAP said it was opening a disaster relief centre in Arborfield, Sask., which declared a state of emergency earlier this week after torrential rain, flash floodingand breached berms.