Weyburn-Big Muddy MLA Dustin Duncan, Minister of Environment and Minister in charge of Saskatchewan Watershed Authority, is speaking about the work done by his ministries during the state of emergency declared in Weyburn and surrounding communities due to the recent flooding.
"It's hard to imagine what people in places like Roche Percee and some areas of Estevan, where they had to evacuate I believe 400 people, are going through," stated Duncan during a press conference on June 24. "And certainly in Minot, our hearts go out to people dealing with this disaster."
However, said Duncan, he is not going to second guess the decisions made by the Watershed Authority to release water from Boundary and Rafferty Dams over the past couple of weeks.
Duncan said his ministry will review the decisions made once the immediate crisis has passed and the work of the Watershed slows down.
"Watershed employees have done an amazing job on this," said Duncan. "They have been working around the clock. Some came out of retirement to help."
Duncan also praised the work of other Crown Corporations, such as SaskPower, SaskEnergy and Highways for their hard work, as well as City staff and volunteers from the community who assisted in flood relief efforts.
"It's incredible to see everyone pitching in."
Duncan defended the work of the Watershed, saying that if the dams were not released when they were, they risked compromising the integrity of the dams. Without the reservoirs and the release of water from the dams, there would be no control over the flow of the Souris River, according to Duncan.
"At the height of the release coming from Rafferty Dam we could have filled an Olympic sized swimming pool in less than five seconds," explained Duncan.
He said that no one could have anticipated this second flooding event after the initial spring runoff and that the amount of rain received in the area was unprecedented.
"Historically, Weyburn gets 365 millimetres of precipitation in a year," said Duncan. "So far, in the past 12 months, we've received 950 millimetres."
Duncan said that Weyburn received 150 millimetres of rain during the week of June 17 to 24 alone.
Duncan stated the Province wants to help the people of southern Saskatchewan that were affected by the floods, which is why his government has fast tracked the Provincial Disaster Assistance Program (PDAP) to give victims up to $3,000 within two weeks of filing. They have also increased the maximum claim from $160,000 to $240,000 and decreased the deductible from 20 percent to five percent.
As for the long-term effects of flooding, Duncan said the Environment Ministry would follow-up with Environment Canada to determine whether the City's decision to release raw sewage into the Souris River would have a negative or lasting effect on it.
He cautioned that all the moisture in the ground and air could lead to more rain storms.
