In Brandon, a phased return of evacuated residents will begin over the weekend. Businesses which had evacuated are expecting to reopen on Saturday.
Representatives of the Manitoba Agricultural Services Corporation have visited 100 residences in the Hoop and Holler area and have started approximately 50 applications for compensation.
The provincial call centre remains in place to provide information to residents located in the controlled-release zone and those at risk of flooding along the Assiniboine River and Lake Manitoba. Call centre hours are 8 a.m. to 8 p.m. on Friday, 9 a.m. to 5 p.m. on Saturday and the centre is closed on Sunday. It can be reached at 204-945-7200 or 1-855-679-3802 (toll-free).
Over 50 Manitoba government employees have been sandbagging in the RM of Grahamdale and approximately 30 Manitoba Conservation staff continue to assist with flood-fighting efforts in the RM of Siglunes.
Volunteers are needed for sandbagging around Lake Manitoba lakefront farms, residences, cottages and communities. Volunteers are asked to contact RM of St. Laurent, 204-646-2259, or RM of Grahamdale, 204-768-2858.
Used sandbags that have had any contact with floodwaters may be contaminated and should not be reused. They must be disposed of properly in a landfill or other facility arranged by the local municipality. Plans are being developed to possibly redistribute used, dry sandbags to areas in need.
There are currently 2,930 Manitobans evacuated from their homes.
Post-secondary students and their parents who are experiencing financial hardship as a result of flooding may be eligible for additional funding through Manitoba Student Aid. Staff will review applications from flood-affected students and consider disaster-related financial hardship in making decisions. Flood-affected students and families can get more information about how Manitoba Student Aid may be able to help by calling 1-800-204-1685 (toll-free). Information will be made available on the provincial website within the next few days.
Flood Forecast
There is a strong-wind warning in effect today for Lake Manitoba and Lake Winnipeg with winds forecast to be southeast at 37 km/h today and north at 27 km/h tomorrow. Winds on Lake Winnipegosis will be south at 18 km/h today. Winds on Dauphin Lake will be east at 25 km/h today, then north-northwest at 25 km/h tomorrow. Winds in the Shoal Lakes area, northwest of Winnipeg, will be southeast at 35 km/h today.
Rain is forecast for much of southern Manitoba this weekend and the impact of rain on waterways will be assessed. Most waterways are dropping and, as a result, it is expected that water level increases from this rain will be minimal.
Flood warnings remain in place for the Assiniboine River at all points downstream of the Shellmouth Dam; Pipestone Creek, all reaches; Oak and Plum lakes; Plum Creek to the Souris River (including the town of Souris); and the Qu`Appelle River in the St-Lazare area.
High water advisories remain in place for all major lakes in Manitoba and the Souris River.
Assiniboine River
Water levels on the Qu’Appelle River at Welby are 16.55 ft. today, decreasing 0.08 ft. since yesterday.
Water levels on the Shellmouth Reservoir are 1,412.24 ft., decreasing 0.05 ft. since yesterday. Inflow into the Shellmouth Reservoir is 5,740 cubic feet per second (cfs), and outflow is 6,100 cfs today.
Water levels on the Assiniboine River at the First Street Bridge in Brandon are 1,178.10 ft., decreasing 0.38 ft. since yesterday. Flows at the First Street Bridge were 20,400 cfs this morning.
Inflows upstream of Portage la Prairie have decreased to 37,830 cfs today. Flows in the Portage Diversion channel are at 19,880 cfs. Flows on the Assiniboine River at the Portage Reservoir control gates are 17,950 cfs and will be decreased to 15,000 cfs in gradual steps from June 1 to 15. Water levels will be maintained at 15,000 cfs until Portage Diversion flows have minimized. This reduction in Assiniboine River flows is necessary to minimize dike failure along the Assiniboine River.
For more information, see www.manitoba.ca/flooding. The most up-to-date highway information is at www.gov.mb.ca/mit/roadinfo or 1-877-MBRoads (1-877-627-6237) and on Twitter by following @MBGov.
