The City of Swift Current has declared a local emergency due to flooding.

Jim Jones, the chief administrative officer for the city in southwestern Saskatchewan, told council that it will allow the city to act more easily and acquire and deploy resources if needed.

Jones says due to rapid snow melt resulting from unseasonably high temperatures over a very short period, Swift Current has been experiencing flooding this week.

City crews have responded quickly to the rising water, setting up barricades at low spots and closing dangerous sections, such as the Lee Lam Bridge, where the water has overtaken the road.