A state of emergency has been declared in the RM of Hanover.

The declaration was signed by Reeve Stan Toews at 10 Tuesday morning on the municipalities behalf due to overland flooding. The resolution read the state of emergency was in "prompt action is to prevent harm or damage to the safety, health or welfare of person's located within the boundaries."

Road 31N, three-quarter mile west of Highway 12.Toews says the decision came after crews were unsuccessful in holding back water near property on section 9-6-6E, approximately two miles south of Ridge Road and two miles west of Highway 12. There are three other sections of land included in the state of emergency including 3-6-6E, 4-6-6E, and 10-6-6E.

He adds they knew there was one inch of rain in the forecast and that makes a big difference.

"So depending on how much rain we  would get we needed another avenue in case we had to upsize some pipes," notes Toews. "What [state of emergency] means is the act gives us a little more latitude if we feel it's appropriate to take out a driveway so the water can get out of the area faster, we're allowed to do those things."

Toews notes if the state of emergency went as far as taking out driveways, the RM would repair what was removed. He adds other options are adding gravel to build up roads so the water cannot run overtop.

"I would just ask that the public exercises caution and bare with us when we have barricades on the road because, with the water and soft roads, they sometimes appear out of the ordinary."

Toews says no one has been evacuated at this point and, although the state of emergency can last up to 30 days before being renewed, he hopes to see it lifted by the end of the week. Roads have been closed in the areas with overland flooding including Road 24N between 30E and 31E, Road 31N between 33E and PTH 12, Road 33E between 30N and 32N, and Road 30N between 32E and 33E.

Roads have been closed in the areas with overland flooding including Road 24N between 30E and 31E, Road 31N between 33E and PTH 12, Road 33E between 30N and 32N, and Road 30N between 32E and 33E.