Sun Country News

Flood Preparedness

June 29 update – A Precautionary Drinking Water Advisory (PDWA) issued for the City of Weyburn has been lifted. Residents are no longer required to boil their drinking water.

PDWA’s issued for the Village of McTaggert, Weyburn Utility Board, Nickle Lake Regional Park, and the Hamlet of North Weyburn are still in effect until further notice.

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Managing stress during a flood

Emergencies, like floods, can cause mental and emotional strain. They can disrupt your regular routines and there may be the potential of losing your home, property or income. People naturally have many different feelings and responses when they have to cope with this kind of stress, including:

• panic, anxiety, fear
• anger, disbelief
• generosity towards others
• helplessness, despair
• co-operation, teamwork
• sleeplessness
• lack of concentration
• exhaustion
• loneliness
• inspiration
• strength in connecting with others/community
• frustration

You and your family

• Families are better able to cope with the effects of flooding if they talk about what has happened and what actions are being taken.
• Be clear about priorities. The health and safety of your family, friends and neighbors comes first.
• If your home is at risk of further flooding, make an emergency plan that includes moving valuables to the highest floor of the house to protect them from flood damage. Discuss what will be taken if you need to evacuate and be realistic about it. Most people take items that can’t be replaced, like photos, favourite toys, smaller family heirlooms and family treasures.
• Ensure everyone has a several-day supply of medications to take with you if you need to evacuate.
• Remind each other that strong feelings are normal under the circumstances.
• Acknowledge that you’re all feeling stress and talk about how it may affect your relationships.
• Let each other know everyone’s doing a good job in a difficult situation. Continue to laugh and enjoy each other’s company.
• Try to set up a routine with as many familiar activities as possible.
• Plan to do some basic school work with children for part of the day, if they are missing school.
• Understand and reassure yourself and family members that the disruption is only temporary.
• Talk to others who are having the same experience. 

After the Flood

 Recovery from the trauma of a flood can -take weeks or even months. 

• It’s important to allow yourself, family and others to talk about the flood and their feelings for as long as is needed.
• Remember to take regular breaks during clean-up work; talk with your family, go out for a meal or entertainment or visit friends.

Check in with yourself regularly

Self awareness is important and you can monitor your moods and attitudes at different times of the day. Make a point to stop to check in with yourself, often, and make sure you are doing things that support a healthy body, mind and spirit.

Stay informed

Keep on top of current news but don’t spend the whole day tuned into media broadcasts. Try and keep as close to your normal daily routines as possible and only check the news occasionally, unless there’s an imminent threat to your home. 

Ask for Help

Health and well-being must be supported by a network of people who can share your experiences with you. Don’t try and manage by yourself. Talk to family and friends and use the resources in your community:

• Health care providers
• Spiritual care providers and advisors
• Professional counselors

Use outside support and resources if you need them

If you, your family, friends or neighbours are having a particularly hard time dealing with stress you can get help from trained professionals.

For more information CALL 1-800-216-7689 (Sun Country Health Region, Mental Health and Addictions) or 1-877- 800-0002 TTY (hearing impaired) or 1-888-425-4444 (Saskatchewan Healthline) www.healthlineonline.ca ) or the Weyburn Mental Health Clinic (306) 842-8665, Estevan Mental Health Clinic (306) 637-3610.

Help is also available at the Psychological First Aid Desk at the Recovery Centre at Crescent Point Place in Weyburn and the Reception Centre at the Souris Valley Aquatic and Leisure Centre in Estevan (until June 24 when it will move to the Civic Auditorium).

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Advice on physical safety during a flood

Sun County Health Region advises people to take care when participating in heavy work like sand-bagging or building dykes during the floods in the Region. If you’re not used to doing endeavours for 20 minutes, don’t expect to sandbag for four or five hours.

If you are used to being active for 20 minutes regularly, it’s still important for you to be cautious because sandbagging isn’t a regular activity that you’re used to. Here are some things to consider: 

• Not sure if you should sandbag? Ask your doctor or primary caregiver. They’ll know your limits.
• If you have protective devices – such as a knee or wrist brace, or a weight training belt – wear them to help prevent injuries.

Consult information about working safely from the Saskatchewan Worksafe website at http://worksafesask.ca/ and http://www.bt.cdc.gov/disasters/workers.asp  Look for specific information about avoiding injury while sandbagging from the Winnipeg Health Region website at http://www.wrha.mb.ca/healthinfo/news/2011/110408c.php#healthyenough

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What is the difference between a Precautionary Drinking Water Advisory (PDWA) and an Emergency Boil Water Order (EBWO) ?

A Precautionary Drinking Water Advisory (PDWA) is used when there is a concern that water quality problems (due to microbial or chemical contamination) may exist. 

 An Emergency Boil Water Order (EBWO) is issued when there are confirmed public health threats due to microbial contamination of the drinking water supply. 

 PDWAs are used when there is evidence of:

• Significant deterioration in the quality of the source water for the drinking water supply – for example high turbidity;
• Malfunctions in the water treatment plant or disinfection system;
• The drinking water distribution system is not able to meet the standards for chlorine in the system;
• Bacteriological monitoring of the drinking water shows some coliform bacteria;
• Concerns about chemical parameters of the drinking water;
• Contamination within the drinking water distribution system; or,
• Failure to submit the water samples required by the Health Hazard Regulations or local health region.

 EBWOs are used when there are confirmed public health threats due to microbial contamination of drinking water and they will be used on evidence of:  

• Confirmed presence of E.coli in the drinking water;
• Confirmed presence of fecal coliforms in the drinking water; or,
• Where epidemiological evidence indicates that the drinking water is responsible for an outbreak of illness.

 T hinking about PDWAs versus EBWOs is similar to the difference between a weather watch and a weather warning.  

For more information, contact Public Health Inspectors at ( 306) 637-3626 or (306) 842-8618 or the Medical Health Officer at 842-8618.

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Safe drinking water

New flooding in the Region

New flooding on Friday June 17 is impacting both Weyburn, Estevan and surrounding areas in Sun Country Health Region.

A Declaration of Emergency was issued by the City of Weyburn on Friday as a result of the flooding and the City of Estevan is preparing for more flooding.

In the Village of Ceylon, a Precautionary Drinking Water Advisory (PDWA) was issued on June 23. (See http://www.suncountry.sk.ca/viewnews/179/175/community-advisory.html for more information on Precautionary Drinking Water Advisory (PDWA) and boil water order (EBWO).

In Navau Trailer Park in Weyburn, an Emergency Boil Water Order (EBWO) was issued June 23.

In the RM of Fillmore: An Emergency Boil Water Order (EBWO) was issued on June 23 for two public wells.

In the Gainsborough campground well: A Precautionary Drinking Water Advisory (PDWA) was issued June 23.

In Oxbow: A Precautionary Drinking WAter Advsiory (PDWA) was issued on June 22. 

In Weyburn: A Precautionary Drinking Water Advisory for the City of Weyburn was issued by the Ministry of Environment. See http://city.weyburn.sk.ca/pdfs/PDWAP.pdf for specific information about what you can do about drinking water. 

Or call (306) 842-8618.  (See more information below.)

In Estevan: The City of Estevan is preparing for more flooding as a result of increased releases of water from Rafferty Dam and the Boundary Dam because of the heavy rainfall yesterday in the Weyburn, Radville and surrounding areas.

The Estevan Emergency Measures Committee has declared a State of Emergency and is issuing an EVACUATION ALERT for Willow Park Greens Trailer Park. This may change to an Evacuation Order later today. 

The Estevan Police Service and the Estevan Fire and Rescue Service are advising residents of the trailer park of the alert and providing instructions to follow in the event of an evacuation order.

For more information, see http://www.estevan.ca/

Any Estevan residents who require additional information are asked to call the Estevan EMO emergency line at 634-1855. Residents are asked not to call the Estevan Police Service for information because the increased calls are tying up the emergency lines.

In the event of an Evacuation Order residents will be asked to report to the Multi-Purpose Room at the Souris Valley Leisure and Aquatic Center.

Public Health Inspectors from Sun Country Health Region are working with both cities to provide additional information.

The City of Weyburn says an electrical failure at its waste water treatment plant caused the emergency. Residents of Weyburn are asked to comply with the following requests:

• Do not use sump pumps (unless it can be pumped outside). The city system can not cope with additional water.
• Collect drinking water.
• Follow the precautionary boil water advisory.

More detailed information is available on the City of Weyburn website at http://www.weyburn.ca/

Other boil water orders issued by the Ministry of the Environment in recent weeks within Sun Country Health Region as a result of flooding are in the Village of Maryfield, the Village of Manor, the Village of Roche Percee, the Town of Radville, two wells in the RM of Fillmore, the Village of North Portal.

Information packages containing two respirator masks (with instructions), pamphlets called Cleaning up After the Flood and Facts about Mould are available from the flood recovery centre in Weyburn. Or call for a package to  

Estevan Public Health Box 5000-201 Estevan, SK S4A 2V6 Tel: (306) 637-3626

Weyburn Public Health Box 2003 Weyburn, SK S4H 279 Tel: (306) 842-8618

A full list of flood recovery centres operated by the Saskatchewan Ministry of the Environment within Sun Country Health Region is available at http://www.cpsp.gov.sk.ca/Public-Information-Meetings-and-Recovery-Centres

The provincial Disaster Assistance Program can be reached by calling 1-866-632-4033.

A full list of boil water advisories in Sun Country Health Region is available at http://www.saskh2o.ca/advisories/Currently%20in%20Effect.pdf

Other information about flooding in Saskatchewan is available at https://www.saskflood.ca/

and http://www.health.gov.sk.ca/flooding-preparedness

For information about a private wells flood advisory, go to http://www.health.gov.sk.ca/flooding-preparedness 

Find information about safe water use during a boil order at http://www.suncountry.sk.ca/service/18/88/water-quality-drinking-water.html