Peguis First Nation declares state of emergency

The Peguis First Nation has declared a state of emergency as the community’s chief has said flood risk is now a certainty.

In a Facebook post on Saturday afternoon Chief Stan Bird made the announcement, saying information received this morning indicates flood waters will pass over the banks of the Fisher River in the coming days.

“Evacuations of our residents will be required,” he said in the video update. “Information provided this morning is that a flood similar to 2022 could be expected.”

He says while it’s uncertain when the community will be overcome by the rising water, “flooding will be extensive” and the severity will be determined by temperatures and precipitation the coming week.