News - Flooding

Little or no precipitation is expected for the next five days although there is a chance of more snow in the Fargo area on Saturday.

There is no substantial change to the flood forecast today. The effects of the snowfall in southern Manitoba and North Dakota will be fully assessed as soon as the snow ends and an updated forecast will then be completed.

Selkirk has declared a local state of emergency to assist in flood preparations. It has also set up an information line for citizens at 204-785-4900.

Manitoba Health advises that, although widespread evacuations are not anticipated, high water levels and road closures could isolate some Manitobans during flooding, limiting access to health-care services or making it more difficult for emergency responders including paramedics to reach people in a medical emergency.

Anticipated crest forecasts from Emerson to the floodway inlet have been reduced by 0.3 metres (one foot). Crest forecasts in Winnipeg and from Selkirk to Breezy Point remain unchanged.

Vic Toews, President of the Treasury Board, MP for Provencher and Senior Manitoba Minister has been travelling throughout Manitoba surveying the flood-affected areas and meeting with provincial and municipal officials and volunteers.

Continued cool weather is delaying significant melting of snow until the end of next week and will result in a further decline in flows on small streams and will slow rises on rivers such as the Red River.

Cool weather expected until early next week will delay the snowmelt and will mean fields, ditches and drains will remain mostly frozen.

The RCMP Selkirk Detachment would like to remind the public that road closure barricades erected to manage the flooded areas, particularly along River Road in the RM of St. Andrews, need to be respected.

Provincial and federal governments are committed to working with local municipalities and flood-affected Manitobans as the province prepares for crests along the Red River and rivers across Manitoba, Premier Gary Doer and federal Treasury Board Minister Vic Toews said.