With seemingly no end in sight to the rain and high moisture levels, many Saskatchewan residents are facing a tough road ahead as flood waters threaten both livelihoods and homes.
The floods of 2011 are not over and the situation is impacting a number of areas around the province. Seeding time has arrived, but farmlands in every direction are far from ready for heavy equipment and planting.
While it may be small consolation, help is out there both financial and mental.
Merv Tippe, health emergency management consultant for Saskatchewan's Ministry of Health, says he has been travelling out to communities that have experienced flooding this spring in an effort to help.
Tippe says the purpose is to help flood victims deal with the stress. He also says there are several agencies providing services including the Yorkton Tribal Council, St. Johns Ambulance and RCMP Victim Services.
"I can say we've seen a lot of tired folks," he says. "But a lot of resilient folks who have been doing a lot of good things themselves. They have been doing a lot of peer counselling, where they are talking to one another and helping one another out."
Flood victims have been battling the waters for a lengthy period of time, and that can take a toll on a person says Tippe adding, things are far from over, because it will be some time before waters recede. It's then people and communities will start rebuilding what they lost.
Flood victims who feel that they need more advanced health services they can call the Healthline at 1-877-800-0002.
Farmers can also call the Farm Stress Line at 1-800-667-4442. Help is also available from the Emergency Provincial Operations Centre at 1-855-429-5455.
For many, these are trying times, but support networks are there and eventually, Mother Nature will tire... hang in there Saskatchewan!
