200 from Red Earth Cree Nation evacuated to Saskatoon due to flooding

About 200 people from Red Earth FirstNation in northeast Saskatchewan are in a Saskatoon evacuation centre and hotel after getting forced out byrising water levels along the Carrot River.

The evacuees, who are considered "health priority" individuals, areat the Henk Ruys Soccer Centre, and a hotel. Some people arrived last night around midnight.

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This is not the first time the community has been evacuated to Saskatoon.Last year, smoke from forest fires drove families south.

Hendrick Head arrived last night along with his wife and daughters.

He said that he haslearned a few tricks about packing over the years. Of course, the family packs medications, clothes and identification.

Sleeping on cots in an evacuation centre presents its own challenges.

"We got a little bit of wisdom now," Head said.

"We kept a bag of extra pillows, extra blankets and some mattresses."

Also struggling this week are people at Shoal Lake Cree Nation, which is just east of Red Earth. Rising water has covered some of the roads leading into the First Nation.

However, the situation was improving Fridayand the state of emergency that was declaredearlier this week was lifted.

Some people from the reserve who havemedical conditionsor who are considered at high risk of health problemshave been evacuated to Prince Albert, Sask.

Following torrential rains earlier this week, a half a dozen communities have been approved for disaster assistance.

Roads onthe east side of the province have been flooded and numerous basements have been inundated.

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Environment Canada says the worst of the storm systems have moved out of the province and drier weather is in the forecast.