Eastern Saskatchewan communities declare states of emergency due to flooding
Heavy rainfall throughout east-central Saskatchewan has impacted highways, left some community roads impassable and prompted several communities to declare states of emergency.
A flash flood advisory is in place Tuesday for Keeseekoose First Nation and Cote First Nation, located northeast of Yorkton. Keeseecoose has declared a state of emergency because of the flooding and both band councils have issued a no-travel advisory.
Rain also washed out a section of Highway 49 between Norquay and Pelly, just north of the two First Nations, making it difficult for people traveling between the communities.
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Norquay, Wadena, Canora, Kamsack and other towns in the east-central region are asking people to use as little water as possible to keep sewers from backing up.
As of 10:30 a.m. CST Tuesday, the Saskatchewan Public Safety Agency (SPSA) said it was on standby waiting to hear from communities asking for support.
Flooded streets and submerged vehicles in Canora, Sask., after a weekend of heavy rain. (Submitted by Brandi Zavislak)
By 3 p.m. CST on Tuesday, the municipalities of Togo and Canora both told CBC they were talking to the SPSA about supplies and resources to clean up the flooding.
"People are in distress, emotions are running high. A lot of these people have not slept for a couple days now. We have huge empathy towards that," said Brandi Zavislak, community development officer for the town of Canora.
Zavislak said 51 damaged properties had been reported to the Canora town office as of 2 p.m. CST Tuesday. She said ditches and roads were overflowing, and barricades were placed throughout town to block off areas with especially high water levels.
Zavislak says some people in Canora have not been able to use their bathrooms for two days. Portable toilets have been brought in and people are encouraged to use them while the sewer lift station catches up.
Ditches in Canora were overflowing due to the heavy rain. (Submitted by Brandi Zavislak)
Zavislak said there is no organized volunteer effort in Canora right now, but neighbours are working together where they can.
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"Everyone is doing their parts," Zavislak said.
"We're putting up barricades. We're doing our best with those efforts. But you always see so many neighbours helping each other out in cases like this, and it's actually wonderful to see."
The village of Togo is also coming together to deal with the flooding. It’s one of many communities that have declared states of emergency because of the flooding.
The main road into Togo was left inaccessible by heavy rains across east central Saskatchewan. (Submitted by Rita Brock)
Rita Brock, Togo's village administrator, said most of the community is underwater.
“Our roads are covered. Our houses are flooded. At this point, we've had to shut down our lift station, our wells, and our water treatment plant, and there is no access in or out of the village,” Brock said.
Brock said 60 houses in the community of 83 people were affected by the flooding, as well as some businesses.
“I don't think there's a house in town that isn't affected on some level,” Brock said.
According to Environment and Climate Change Canada, the heavy rain causing the flooding is expected to ease Tuesday evening.
This article, written by Laura Gillis, was originally published for CBC News on June 30, 2026.
Thumbnail image courtesy of Brandi Zavislak via CBC News.