On the heels of Friday’s announcement that 167 of the community’s most vulnerable would be forced to leave their homes due to rising flood waters, authorities have decided to evacuate the entire area, after water levels jumped by almost four inches overnight.
Officials say the Red River is expected to crest next week, and now, they believe the water will go over the roads, which will restrict access to the community.
By lar in the day Saturday, the 167 people who are identified as “priorities” because of their medical conditions or age will be relocated, said Rod Patrick, flood evacuation coordinator for the Roseau River First Nation. The remainder of the 800 Roseau River residents will be taken to Winnipeg-area hotels no later than Monday, which could bring the total number of evacuees in the province to 1,538. About 30 people will remain in the community for security purposes.
In 2009, the area was evacuated for more than 40 days; officials don’t know how long residents will have to stay away from the area this year.
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