Things Looking Up For Red Earth Evacuees

Things Looking Up For Red Earth Evacuees

Friday, April 21, 2006 at 13:16

The Saskatchewan Watershed Authority is reporting that the Carrot River is receding at the Red Earth First Nation and residents are now cautiously optimistic about returning home.

Dwayne Rowlett says the Carrot River has receded anywhere between 2-1/2 to 8 inches in the last 48 hours.

Emergency Coordinator with the Prince Albert Grand Council, Richard Kent, says the evacuees from the southern portion of the reserve may be able to head home tomorrow, if tests done on the water supply come in showing no signs of contamination.

Kent says that means roughly 200 to 300 evacuees could be heading home.

He added that damage is still being estimated on the northern portion of the reserve, which saw damage to a total of 18 buildings, including the health clinic, band office, and store.

Kent says although the water system on the south reserve was flushed and cleaned, the northern portion has its own water system that still needs to be flushed. He says that will have to wait until the water recedes, because 2 fire hydrants are still underwater and that could mean water contamination.