Flood-protection efforts by municipal and provincial staff along the Souris River continue. Equipment and resources are being deployed in the area.
A 38-member tactical team from the provincial Fire Program will be in the area to assist with flood proofing.
As the long weekend approaches, people are reminded to stay off all lakes, rivers and streams as high water and fast currents could bring unseen water hazards to normally calm waters. Any low-lying power lines close to water should be reported to Manitoba Hydro.
The Assiniboine Regional Health Authority (ARHA) has suspended acute-care and emergency-room services at the hospital in Souris. Acute-care patients are being relocated to other sites. Personal-care home residents will remain at the Souris Health Centre Personal Care Home.
The scale, scope and ongoing nature of this year’s flood can be very challenging for affected Manitoba families. There are resources to help deal with stress and anxiety which result from a crisis situation such as this flood. Resources include Manitoba Farm and Rural Support Services 1-866-367-3276 (1-866-FOR-FARM) (toll-free); Klinic Community Health Centre 24-hour crisis line 786-8686 in Winnipeg or 1-888-322-3019 (toll-free); and Health Links-Info Santé which can help find resources through local regional health authorities or community mental-health services offices 788-8200 in Winnipeg or 1-888-315-9257 (toll-free). Additional information and tips are available at www.gov.mb.ca/flooding/stressinfo.html.
At this time are 2,937 Manitobans are evacuated.
Flood Forecast
Souris River
Today the Souris River at Melita is 13.78 feet higher than the normal level for today; at Souris it is 19.14 ft. higher than normal level and at Wawanesa 14.4 ft. higher than normal level.
Saskatchewan and Carrot Rivers
Water levels on the Saskatchewan River at The Pas increased 0.2 ft. since yesterday to 855.73 ft., with a flow of 76,500 cubic feet per second (cfs). The forecast range for The Pas remains at 858 to 859.3 ft. with the peak occurring between July 7 and 12. The water levels are forecast to steadily rise from current levels to reach the forecast peak. The water level stage of 859.3 ft. corresponds to the 100-year flood event for the Saskatchewan River at The Pas. Manitoba Water Stewardship is working closely with the Saskatchewan Watershed Authority to continually update the forecast flows.
Forecast peak water levels on the Carrot River will be affected by the peak water level on the Saskatchewan River, from the downstream end of the Carrot River to about mile 18. The forecast peak water levels in that portion of the Carrot River are 859.9 to 861.2 ft., expected to occur between July 7 and 11. Upstream of mile 18, the forecast peak is expected to be somewhat below the spring peak in April.
Wind Set-up Alerts
Environment Canada has issued a strong wind warning for Lake Manitoba, Lake Winnipeg and Lake Winnipegosis with south winds in the mid- to high 30 km/h range.
A high wind set-up alert is issued for the east shore of Lake Manitoba, through the Narrows and the lake’s north shore. This includes communities such as Lundar Beach, the Ebb and Flow First Nation, Vogar, Steeprock and Homebrook. There is a moderate wind set-up alert for the west shore of the southern and northern basins and southeast shore of Lake Manitoba, the northwest shore of Lake St. Martin and the west shore of the South Basin of Lake Winnipeg. This includes communities such as Sandy Bay, Meadow Portage, Crane River, St. Laurent, the Lake St. Martin First Nation, the Little Saskatchewan First Nation and Gimli.
Tomorrow there is a high wind set-up alert for the east shore of Lake Manitoba, through the Narrows and the north shore of the lake. This includes communities such as Lundar Beach, the Ebb and Flow First Nation, Vogar, Steeprock and Homebrook. A moderate wind set-up alert is issued for the west shore of the southern and northern basins and the southeast shore of Lake Manitoba, the northwest shore of Lake St. Martin, the north shore of Oak Lake and the west shore of the South Basin of Lake Winnipeg. This includes communities such as Sandy Bay, Meadow Portage, Crane River, St. Laurent, the Lake St. Martin First Nation, the Little Saskatchewan First Nation, Cherry Point and Gimli.
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.
