The City of North Battleford is urging residents to follow safety precautions as heavy rainfall and higher waters on the North Saskatchewan River create the risk of flooding.
With more water and saturated ground comes the risk of house flooding, which the City says can be prevented by following several tips.
These include making sure eavestroughs are not blocked by debris, checking drainage paths are graded properly and extending downspouts at least two metres from a house’s foundation, with a drop of 10 to 20 centimetres to the ground. They say this water pouring away from the foundation and into further away ground will prevent the risk of basement flooding.Â
They also recommend residents check their basements for leaks in walls, floors or roofs, and to make sure their runoff doesn’t go into their yard or a neighbour’s. People who have sump pumps are also recommended to check if that’s working, and be aware that electrical outages will cause them to not work.
Barriers across North Battleford have been put up for areas that cannot be driven through due to flooding. The City says drivers should be cautious in unmarked wet areas as well, as water sent splashing up the curb can flood nearby homes. The Boat Launch has also been closed for the time being due to high waters.
City crews are also working on fixing drain blockages or other hazards that may come because of the storm.