Saskatchewan First Nation moving all residents over rising water

PRINCE ALBERT, Sask. – The Red Earth First Nation in northern Saskatchewan is moving out its remaining residents due to rising water levels.

Karen Hill, a Saskatchewan government official, says chief and council made the decision because the Carrot River peak is expected overnight and there are concerns about maintaining access to the community.

The community moved out 200 people, including pregnant women, dialysis patients and seniors, to Saskatoon earlier this week as the river rose.

Hill says the government has sent flood mitigation equipment and material to the community, along with personnel to assist local emergency operations.

She says the remaining 800 residents will be transported to Saskatoon, Prince Albert and Regina.

Red Earth Chief Ian McKay said earlier Friday that everyone is waiting for the river to drop, but levels were still rising.