The late arrival of spring has led to flooding in southern Saskatchewan, prompting two more communities to declare a state of emergency for a total of nine. And there could still be more flooding to come.

On Wednesday, the Onion Lake Cree First Nation and the village of St. Louis both declared a state of emergency.

Officials on the reserve say the 200 residents are preparing in case their homes have to be evacuated.

Colder-than-normal temperatures this spring led to a delay in the annual springtime snow melt. But a sudden warm spell over the weekend caused widespread flooding in the towns of Maidstone, Radisson, the village of Borden, the village of Elfros, the rural municipality of Great Bend, as well as the Poundmaker and Sakimay First Nations.

Ice coming off the North Saskatchewan River caused the waters to surge dramatically in just a few hours on Wednesday. The province’s water security agency said that although the water is receding, levels are expected to remain high.

“After we start this next seasonal temperatures, we’re probably not going to see a stop again … and the runoff will start and we will see the melting of all the snow,” Patrick Boyle, of the Saskatchewan Water Security Agency, said.

Boyle said a quick melt could cause an ice jam to form upstream of Prince Albert, which could cause unpredictable and rapid rises in water levels.

Earlier on Wednesday, Prince Albert residents who live along the river watched nervously as the water rose to within a few feet of street level.

Concerned residents said they haven’t seen anything like it.

“I can’t believe my eyes, honestly I can’t,” one shocked resident said. “This time of year, I’ve never seen it like this … and we haven’t even had the worst of it yet."

The sudden rise also caused flooding east of Prince Albert, forcing the closure of the local Little Red River Park.

Emergency officials are warning residents to stay away from the flowing water.

“The banks become very unstable when we have lots of water moving through,” Lyle Karasiuk, of the Parkland Ambulance said. “All you need is for that undercurrent to grab hold of the bank and … down you’re going to go, into the river… and that may not be a very pleasant situation for anybody.”

On Tuesday, much of southern Saskatchewan was hit with a spring snowstorm, which helped to slow the thaw. But on Thursday, the weather is expected to warm up again, which will likely mean a second wave of flooding.

In Maidstone, Sask., residents are scrambling to build flood barriers using sandbags, with volunteers from nearby communities helping out, said resident Harold Trew.

He said residents are busy pumping water and building dikes around homes. As well, all the storm water ponds in the town have been drained in anticipation of the next round of melting.

“Right now, we’re at a standstill after receiving the first floodwaters,” Trew told CTV’s Canada AM Wednesday morning. “But as soon as the warm weather comes on Thursday, we’re expecting another wave of water coming through the community. “

One bridge and one road in the south end of town have been closed, Trew said. As well, two families had to be evacuated over the weekend.

He estimates there are more than 20 homes in town with flooded basements and that about a third of the town is under water in some way.

While things are calm at the moment, he says residents know they’re going to right back at it again on Thursday and Friday.

“So it’s been quite a spring,” Trew said.

In the town of Radisson, Saskatchewan's commissioner of emergency management, Duane McKay, told The Canadian Press that approximately 50 homes are at risk and residents are on alert that they might have to evacuate.

Earlier this week, around 50 people were moved off the Poundmaker reserve and put up in hotels in surrounding communities.

The Saskatchewan Water Security Agency said the entire southern half of Saskatchewan will see water run-off levels above or well above normal this spring.

Flooding is likely to occur from Moose Jaw to Indian Head, including Regina, and south past Weyburn to near the United States border. Saskatoon, Prince Albert and North Battleford are in the red zone as well.

With a report from CTV Prince Albert's Blair Farthing and files from The Canadian Press