Flood Victims Kicked While They Were Down

The small village of Roche Percee, Saskatchewan was evacuated due to an overflow of the Souris River which left many of the valley homes underwater. While those on higher ground sustained a little better, the entire population of about 200 residents had to be evacuated for their safety.

Unfortunately, while they were gone, the criminal element set to work to kick them when they were already down. Looters. Thieves. Derelicts.

As the waters began to recede, townspeople returned to assess the damage, only to discover that what hadn’t been destroyed by flood waters, had been stolen by looters. The Mayor of the village, Reg Jahn, said his home had been hit twice. The first round of looting was for small items, jewelry, silver dollar coins and other easy to carry items. As the water lowered a bit more, looters came by boat, and left with his big screen television.

Before the flood hit, the people of Roche Percee had a little time to prepare. Knowing they would be forced to evacuate, they did what anyone would do in that situation. They moved as much as they could to higher ground. Electronics, computers, televisions and so on were moved to upper levels of homes from rec rooms and main floors in hopes of avoiding flood damage.

You can guess how easy it was for thieves to take advantage. In an interview with CBC, Mayor Jahn stated the townspeople were “kicked when they were down”. He’s right. Who takes advantage of this type of tragedy to steal from victims who’ve already lost so much?

Unlike typical looting situations where storefront windows are smashed and merchandise stolen from businesses, this was much more personal. People were forced from their homes in order to survive, only to be further violated by vultures who circled the flood ravaged remains for treasures. Also unlike smash and grab looting, which is usually an act of impulse, this was a little more thought out.

I cannot imagine what the people of Roche Percee must be feeling. After escaping the devastation that mother nature hurled at them, they were preyed upon by carnivores. A person’s home is supposed to be their sanctuary. Along with ruined photographs, diplomas, trophies, keepsakes and a thousand little mementos that make up a lifetime, what little valuables remained were scavenged.

Not at all willing to take anything else from the people who have lost everything, Mayor Jahn is looking to provincial and federal disaster relief funds to help rebuild the town, rather than asking for more tax dollars. His sense of nobility should be commended, a compassionate response to the true needs of the villagers of Roche Percee.   

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