The Manitoba government advises a preliminary estimate of repair costs for roads and bridges in western Manitoba is in excess of $200 million. This does not include agricultural losses. Total costs for the summer flood will continue to be assessed.
Disaster Financial Assistance
A disaster financial assistance program is now in place in response to this year’s flood. Application forms and further details about the program are available online at www.manitobaemo.ca or by contacting the Manitoba Emergency Measures Organization at 204- 945- 3050 in Winnipeg or 1-888-267-8298 (toll-free). Applications are also available at most municipal offices.
Mobile recovery offices have visited several communities in the past week and will continue to be set up in the southwest area of Manitoba. Staff are available to answer questions and take applications for disaster financial assistance.
- Melita – The office will be located at the Melita and Area Arena at 108 Townsend Dr. today from 10 a.m. to 6 p.m.
- Deloraine – The office will be located in at the community hall at 111 Caver St. N on Tuesday, July 15 from noon to 6 p.m.
- Brandon – The office will be located on the east side of the Keystone Centre grounds on Wednesday, July 16 and Thursday, July 17 from 10 a.m. to 6 p.m.
- Pierson – The office will be located in front of the Rural Municipality of Edward office at 58 Railway Ave. on Friday July 18 from 11 a.m. to 6 p.m.
To date, approximately 215 people have attended the mobile recovery offices and 166 applications have been received.
Canadian Armed Forces Update
The Canadian Armed Forces have completed the emergency reinforcement work along the Assiniboine River dikes between Portage la Prairie and Headingley.
Manitoba government staff are taking over full flood operations and are continuing to monitor and assess the condition of the dikes along the river and the Portage Diversion.
A military team will continue to provide aerial support and help the rapid-reaction teams address any issues.
Assiniboine River
The Assiniboine River crested at St-Lazare the evening of July 9 and water levels are dropping. The existing flood protection in St-Lazare is expected to be adequate for the second crest.
The Assiniboine River at Miniota has crested and high water levels are expected to last for a day or two.
Inflows and the reservoir level of the Shellmouth Dam have crested and are declining. The reservoir outflows have crested and current outflows are 16,470 cubic feet per second (cfs).
Brandon
Water levels on the Assiniboine River in Brandon were 1,182.7 feet this morning. Peak flows are expected between today and July 13 at 2011 levels.
Existing flood protection in Brandon is adequate for this crest. Peak flows are expected to last for a day or two before gradually declining.
Portage Diversion
Flows on the Assiniboine River at the Portage Diversion were at 48,200 cfs. Flows on the Portage Diversion are approximately 30,200 cfs and flow on the Assiniboine River immediately downstream of the diversion is 18,000 cfs.
The forecast for a second crest at the Portage Diversion calls for peak flows of 48,000 to 49,000 cfs between July 14 and 16. Peak flows are expected to last for a day or two before gradually declining.
Flows on the Assiniboine River between Portage la Prairie and Headingley are expected to stay at 18,000 cfs for several
days.
Residents in Winnipeg are advised that while the water level at James Avenue is declining, the Assiniboine River west of Route 90 is expected to rise by approximately one foot.
It is unlikely a controlled release will take place at the Hoop and Holler Bend unless the dikes cannot safely contain the flow. The site remains ready to use should an urgent situation arise.
Manitoba Lakes
Water levels on Lake Manitoba today were 814.1 ft. The forecast peak water level on Lake Manitoba is 814.6 ft. in early August.
The wind forecast for today results in a moderate to moderate-high wind warnings for today and there will be severe northwest wind gusts to 50 km/hr over the weekend for the southern shorelines of Lake Manitoba, Lake Winnipegosis, Lake Winnipeg and Dauphin Lake.
Parkland and Northern Manitoba
The water level gauge on Dauphin Lake is reporting a water level of 859.8 ft. and the lake appears to be near crest.
The Carrot River near The Pas is at 856.6 ft. today and is forecast to peak at 856.8 ft.
The Saskatchewan River is also at or near crest and remains within bank.
Provincial Park Update
Water levels on Lake of the Woods at the Birch Point Provincial Park are high. All campsites are currently closed and the boat launch is flooded and closed.
Due to increasing water levels on Lake Dauphin, Rainbow Beach Provincial Park has been closed. The closure is expected to be in effect until July 17.
The opening of the Watchorn campground has been delayed to July 31.
Other campgrounds that remain open but have some sites affected by wet conditions or rising water levels include Rivers, Nutimik Lake, Opapiskaw, Otter Falls and St. Malo.
The lower Kiche Manitou campground in the Spruce Woods Provincial Park has been affected by the Assiniboine River flood and will be closed until July 31. The upper campground is still open and can be accessed by the posted detour routes. Check the 511 road information website for road closure information on PTH 5 at www.gov.mb.ca/mit/roadinfo.
Campers with reservations for the affected sites have been contacted directly.
Flood-fighting Work
To date, more than 371,700 sandbags have been produced and 291,200 have been delivered. More than 80,500 are being held in reserve for emergency use.
As of this morning, approximately 741 people are evacuated from their homes and communities due to flooding in 2014 including 160 evacuees related to spring flooding.
The province is working directly with municipalities to address flooding issues. As of this morning, 56 municipalities and communities have declared a state of local emergency.
Road Information
Manitoba Infrastructure and Transportation reports sections of many provincial roads have been affected by the heavy rainfall and some roads are either closed or marked with caution. Municipal roads may also be affected, closed or have load limitations. Drive with caution and obey road closed signs.
On all roads in southwest Manitoba, assume the bridges are also damaged. Reduce speed and weight to 10 tonnes only. Damage inspections are underway.
