A number of communities are in the midst of flood-fighting efforts across southern Manitoba to deal with flooding from the Red and Assiniboine rivers, local tributaries and overland flooding.
Flood Response
• The rising Assiniboine River and ice is affecting four homes in Headingley, two homes in St. François Xavier and 15 homes in the Lido Plage Road area. Ten homes are at risk in Elie from the LaSalle River. Sandbagging efforts are underway.
• Sandbags are being sent to the Brokenhead First Nation where 11 houses have water in their basements and water is overtopping roads because of an ice jam at a nearby rail bridge which is causing water to rise. Evacuations may be necessary if water continues to rise.
• A sandbag machine is going to the St. Adolphe arena to assist with sandbagging of homes south of St. Adolphe along PR 200. Volunteers will have to come down PTH 75, turn east on PR 210 and cross over the river into St. Adolphe. PTH 75 is local access only but not barricaded south of Winnipeg.
• One home, 10 cottages and a number of local roads have been affected by flooding caused by an ice jam at Rock Lake.
• The community of Arborg experienced water rises last night as a result of a nearby ice jam. Levels are staying constant and diking is underway.
• At Grande Pointe, flood-proofing measures are underway at the floodway outlet west of PTH 59 and pumps are also being set up as a precautionary measure.
• The Icelandic River near Riverton is experiencing ice jams which are affecting the town. No homes or property are currently affected.
• Melita has started diking to raise its primary dike and super sandbags are being installed along PTH 3. Additional super sandbags are being sent to Melita today.
• PTH 3 at Brunkild is one-lane traffic because a dike is being constructed on the road and there is water on the shoulder. It is restricted to local traffic only and there may be short delays.
• The alternate route detour for PTH 75 has been changed and is now PTH 2 to PTH 13 to PTH 3 to PTH 14.
• At Ste. Agathe, a one-kilometre dike closure along the river will be completed today or tomorrow.
• Ring dike levels in the valley have been raised at Emerson, Letellier, St. Jean Baptiste, Morris, St. Adolphe, Dominion City and Ste. Agathe. Partial ring dike closures are also complete at Rosenort, Aubigny and Riverside. The valley ring dikes are being carefully monitored and assessed on an ongoing basis.
• There is significant overland flooding across the Interlake affecting roads and crossings through out the area.
• There are a number of roads washed out in the province. Closed barricade signs must be respected and motorists are advised to drive with extreme caution. Road conditions are changing quickly. Check highway conditions before travelling at www.manitoba.ca or call 204-945-3704 or 1-877-627-6237.
• The province has 37 steamers working to thaw frozen culverts and drains across southern Manitoba.
• There are three Flood Liaison Offices in operation. They are open seven days a week from 7 a.m. to 9 p.m. and are located in Winnipeg (945-2354), Morris (204-746-7325) and Brandon (204-729-1220).
Evacuations
• Three homes have been evacuated from the Boundary Creek/Winnipeg Beach area.
• The Manitoba Association of Native Fire Fighters has helped move 18 people from Peguis First Nation to Gimli and may evacuate another 70 individuals today who are losing road access. In addition, Fisher River First Nation evacuated nine people from its personal-care home.
• Residents of approximately 10 homes around Rock Lake have decided to voluntarily leave their homes.
• Most residents have returned to their homes in areas affected by the ice jam north of Selkirk. The RM of St. Andrews is continuing a mandatory evacuation order in place for properties north of 1621 Breezy Point Rd.
• All evacuees are strongly urged to register with the Red Cross registration phone line at 1-888-662-3211 which operates 9 a.m. to 8 p.m. This will help connect people with their municipalities and other information about the flood.
Road Safety in the Flood Zone
• Frozen culverts and drains are causing flooding in locations that have never experienced flooding before. The ground is saturated and deeply frozen which reduces the soil’s ability to absorb the snowmelt and can cause unusual overland flooding. Manitobans are advised to watch for rapidly rising water conditions.
• Overland flooding is also causing unpredictable conditions along roads and ditches. Roads running near ditches or creeks may experience rapid rises in water with strong currents.
• There have been reports of road barricades being moved in the Red River Valley. Closed barricades on roads should not be moved under any circumstance.
• If motorists encounter rapidly moving water, they should not try to drive through and should stay in their vehicle.
