Flooding prompts RM of Lajord to declare state of emergency
The RM of Lajord has declared a state of emergency and is seeking government disaster assistance following flooding just east of Regina.
Thousands of acres of crops have also been destroyed due to Wascana Creek overflowed.
One farmer said he lost between 300 and 400 acres of crop.
“We had a big rain event ten days ago now last Monday … but unfortunately to the east and south of here, there was accusations of anywhere from four to six inches so that water all got into the creek system,” Farmer Todd Lewis said.
The Reeve of the RM of Lajord said he hopes to provide whatever help he can to residents.
“We’ve never done this before so I don’t know how this is going to work out for them,” Reeve Armond Gervais said. “Hopefully they can get some money out of it if it works for us, for the RM.”
Local officials had communicated with the City of Regina to have a dike lifted under the Albert Street bridge that would have allowed more water to flow through. The barriers were removed last weekend but it was too late.
“It’s pretty tough when you get six inches of rain and it all comes at once and pounds everything hard and it just runs off. Nothing soaks in,” said Erwin Beitel, Director of Wascana Conservation and Development.
Farmers in the area say there has been more flooding along Wascana Creek in recent years, driven by more intense storms. Some believe it’s the result of climate change and will require modification to water management practices.
CTVNews.ca Top Stories
BREAKING | Pfizer booster approved for children aged 5-11 by Health Canada
Chief public health officer Dr. Theresa Tam says Health Canada is authorizing a booster dose of the Pfizer-BioNTech vaccine for children between five and 11 years old.

Woman travelling to Canada with 5 kilos of heroin arrested in Poland
A 81-year-old Danish woman traveling from Africa to Canada was arrested at Warsaw airport on suspicion of illegal possession of heroin worth over US$515,000, officials in Poland said Friday.
Trudeau nominates Ontario judge Michelle O'Bonsawin to Supreme Court
Prime Minister Justin Trudeau nominated Ontario judge Michelle O’Bonsawin to the Supreme Court of Canada on Friday. She is the first Indigenous person to be tapped to sit on Canada's top court and the appointment is being celebrated as filling an important role at the highest level of the country's justice system.
Quebec Cardinal Marc Ouellet denies sex assault allegations, says he is being defamed
A prominent Quebec cardinal is denying sexual assault allegations against him contained in a class-action lawsuit that was formally filed this week in Quebec Superior Court.
Nunavut declares state of emergency over Iqaluit water shortage
Nunavut's acting minister of community and government services says the territory has declared a state of emergency in Iqaluit to ensure the city can begin replenishing its water reservoir without delay.
Back to school: A look at the COVID-19 rules in place across provinces, territories
As students across Canada gear up to enter what will be their fourth academic year in the pandemic, CTVNews.ca takes a look at what measures will be in place in schools, by province and territory.
Canada's interim import ban on handguns takes effect today
As of today, individuals and businesses are no longer able to import restricted handguns into Canada, with limited exceptions. The move announced earlier this month is aimed at expediting a key pillar of the federal effort to cap the number of handguns in the country.
WATCH LIVE | Transport minister testifying at committee today on airport delays, flight cancellations
Transport Minister Omar Alghabra is testifying before the House of Commons transport committee this afternoon about ongoing airport delays and flight cancellations.
Honey shortage could extend into next year after devastating winter for beekeepers
This past winter saw record losses for beekeepers, and one expert says the prospects for next year are even worse if they face another frigid winter.