Manitoba Transportation and Infrastructure’s Hydrologic Forecast Centre is issuing an overland flood warning for a portion of southwest Manitoba and the southeast corner of the province. An overland flood watch for all of southern and central Manitoba remains in effect. A flood warning is also issued for Dauphin Lake.
Most southern Manitoba basins received 20 to 40 millimetres (mm) of rain earlier this week, and forecasters are monitoring a system expected to arrive Thursday that could bring an additional 20 to 40 mm over three days, with much of it arriving on Friday. Some localized areas could receive more than 40 mm.
An overland flood warning indicates a higher probability of overland flooding occurring based on forecast precipitation, whereas an overland flood watch indicates that overland flooding is possible but not as likely to occur.
Most ditches and waterways are either full or near capacity. Heavy rain occurring over a short period on saturated soil could create overland flooding. Water level forecasts will be updated to determine impacts from this precipitation on areas that are already experiencing flooding.
Flooding continues in the Interlake, Red River Valley and many other portions of central and southern Manitoba. Residents in these areas are advised to monitor local conditions and take any necessary flood mitigation actions.
Several communities throughout the province continue to be impacted by high water levels. The Manitoba Emergency Measures Organization (EMO) continues to work with all local authorities and emergency management partners to provide guidance and support for response and recovery activities.
Reported impacts to date include loss of road access, flooded properties and damage to infrastructure. Because of these impacts, 28 states of local emergency have been declared. Manitoba EMO continues to work with Indigenous Services Canada (ISC) in supporting ISC-led response measures with First Nation communities.
Flood warnings remain in place for most parts of the Red River north of Emerson (except Winnipeg), the Pembina, Morris and Little Morris rivers, the Shannon and Netley creeks, Fisher and Icelandic rivers, the Assiniboine River from the Shellmouth Dam to Brandon, Birdtail Creek, the Whiteshell lakes area, and the Whitemouth and Birch rivers. A complete list of flood warnings, watches and high water advisories is available in the daily flood reports found at gov.mb.ca.
The Red River Floodway and the Portage Diversion continue to operate to lower water levels in Winnipeg. Flows in the floodway channel was near 42,000 cubic feet per second (cfs) this morning. Flows upstream of the floodway inlet this morning are approximately 82,000 cfs.
As fishing season approaches, Manitobans are reminded to stay clear of the Red River Floodway inlet and outlet structures, the Portage Diversion gate structures in the Portage reservoirs, and actively flowing spillways on dams. Members of the public are also asked to keep away from flooded areas and areas where flood response crews are working.
Up-to-date information on highway conditions, including detours and road closures, is available at manitoba511.ca or by calling 511.
Flood mitigation assistance can be directed to the municipal authority. In case of an emergency, residents are advised to contact 911.
For questions about forecasts, water levels, provincial waterways or provincial water control infrastructure, call 204-945-1165.
For more information about flooding in Manitoba, including forecasts, visit manitoba.ca.
The Manitoba government is warning of a possible SMS phishing scam involving the Disaster Financial Assistance program. Members of the public have reported receiving texts inviting the receiver to claim $150 in disaster financial assistance by clicking on a fake URL. This is an attempt to access personal data. The Manitoba government does not use texting to contact the public about support through this program. If such a text is received, do not click on the link. For more information on what to do if a fraudulent text is received, visit the Canadian Anti-Fraud Centre’s website.
