Prairie farmers, communities tackle flooding as more declare emergencies

In the far southeast corner of Saskatchewan, near the village of Carievale, Jace Brown’s home has become an island.

Water sloshes around Brown’s waist as he walks through his farmyard, which was submerged when a deluge of rain over the weekend caused widespread flooding in eastern Saskatchewan and western Manitoba.

Brown says everything is under water except for his house, which was saved because people in the community rallied around to build a sandbag wall.

Fifty-five Saskatchewan communities and 34 municipalities in Manitoba have declared states of emergency because of the flooding.

More than 500 people have been forced to leave their homes.

Brown says he believes the flood has peaked at his farm, but they’re going to be under water for a long time.

Saskatchewan Premier Brad Wall said Tuesday that early estimates show the “unprecedented rainstorm and flooding” could cost more than the 2011 flood because it’s so widespread.

Wall also said it’s hard to assess some of the highway damage because the roads are still under water.

The premier was scheduled to tour the hardest hit areas Wednesday.

Agriculture officials also have say it’s too early to speculate how big the crop loss might be because many fields are still under water.