The mayor of Swan River says water hasn’t come up significantly after a state of emergency was declared Tuesday due to expected flooding on its namesake river.
“It’s looking good, but we’ll have to check with provincial EMO (Emergency Measures Organization) this morning,” Mayor Glen McKenzie said early Wednesday.
It was predicted to come up another foot but at 6 a.m. hadn’t reached sandbags at about 20 houses on Duncan Crescent, McKenzie said.
Provincial officials said Tuesday that the river was expected to reach flood stage at the Manitoba town within 24 hours. Some roads in the area have been closed due to flooding.
There’s also a moderate risk of ice pileup on Swan Lake near Swan River, provincial officials said.
The Town of Swan River is closely monitoring the river and the community has sandbags and flood tubes provided by the province.
Volunteers sandbagged along Duncan Crescent, filled and moved sandbags to other vulnerable areas to be ready for flooding and stockpiled sand, McKenzie said.
“I was really amazed at the volunteer spirit,” he said.
Highway 10 east of Swan River is closed from Highway 488 to Highway 366 due to a washout. A detour is in effect.
Highway 486 is closed for 14 kilometres south of Highway 83 due to a washout. The stretch of road is south of Swan River.
Highway 588 is closed eight kilometers north of Highway 275 due to a washout, northwest of Swan River.
Swan River is 380 kilometres northwest of Winnipeg.
Video courtesy of Kevin Penner
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