Flooding and deteriorating road conditions have caused the RM of Stuartburn to declare a State of Emergency. Reeve Jim Swidersky says the areas affected are from Zhoda and Caliento up to a little south of Vita. He adds there is also a small pocket southeast of Vita, in the Sundown area, where an inter-municipal road has been washed out. Swidersky asks people to be careful on the roads because the situation is constantly changing.

"In the last couple of days, as fast we we've been out at the locations, we try and get out there and things are popping up but we want people to be very, very careful when they're travelling down the roads. What we're having is culverts that have lifted up with frost and now they're settling and undermining (roads) and water is washing out areas alongside culverts so drive very slowly on the country roads. If it looks terribly rutted, take other routes and be very careful."

Swidersky also asks residents to report any flooding or road issues that have not already been brought to the municipality's attention. Meanwhile, he says the Roseau and Rat Rivers are rising and they're keeping an eye on that situation too.

"Early in the week, the ice lifted off of them and they're running wide open right now. The Roseau is within its banks. The Rat has spilled its banks."

No homes have been evacuated to this point. Swidersky says the warm weather on the weekend caused a very quick thaw which has led to these problems.

Swidersky says the State of Emergency enables them to act quickly to do things like opening a road to alleviate flooding.

Map showing general area of flood issues in Stuartburn