The Salvation Army helping flood victims in Saskatchewan

Saskatoon, SK – The Salvation Army has a team of volunteers working long hours to help flood victims of Cumberland House, in northeast Saskatchewan.

Nearly all 2,200 residents have been evacuated from Cumberland House, and the adjacent village Cumberland House First Nation after a deluge of rain and rapid flooding in Southern Alberta last week created high flows from the South Saskatchewan River, combining with high flows from the North Saskatchewan River, washing out the only road travelling in and out of Cumberland House.

“The Salvation Army is working with The Red Cross to assist evacuees,” says Major Mike Hoeft, Emergency Disaster Services Coordinator for Saskatchewan. “Currently, crews are focussed on feeding, hydrating, and offering spiritual and emotional care in two (2) Saskatchewan cities.”

In Saskatoon, The Salvation Army is serving over 170 evacuees three meals daily in a shelter set up at Saskatoon’s Henk Ruys soccer centre. And in Melfort, The Salvation Army will be serving over 60 people for much of this week. 

In Prince Albert, The Salvation Army provided two (2) meals (breakfast and lunch) for about 100 victims’ Monday before they were transferred to an emergency shelter at SIAST or are staying with friends/family; however, The Salvation Army continues to give on-going support.

“Out team delivered a large box of colouring books, crayons, games, skipping rope, etc, for the kids,” says Major Glenn Patey, Prince Albert Corps officer. “We have offered the youth director at Cumberland House the basement at the corps for an afternoon of kids programming. Also, we have been supplying sheets and blankets to the families who have taken in evacuees.”

The Saskatchewan Government’s Emergency Management and Fire Safety Department says that in the event emergency shelters in Prince Albert and Saskatoon do fill up, the province has more places for evacuees to stay in Regina.

Evacuees could be out of their homes for as long as two (2) weeks.

Also, The Salvation Army Prairie Division (Saskatchewan, Manitoba & NW Ontario) are on standby as Alberta moves into the cleanup stage of its recovery efforts.

“A team of volunteers from Saskatchewan is being coordinated in the event that Alberta needs the support,” says Hoeft. “Offering assistance to victims of the disaster, as well as the hard working volunteers, is our priority. Regardless of which province it is – we will be ready.”

Two (2) Salvation Army volunteers from Swift Current have already driven the Emergency Disaster Services vehicle from Regina to Calgary and are currently assisting in efforts there.

Monetary donations can be made at www.SalvationArmy.ca/floodrelief or by calling 1-800-SAL-ARMY.