WINNIPEG – There are about 500 people out of their homes as communities continue to battle floodwaters from recent rains in southwestern Manitoba.
The Westman area is experiencing record or near-record flows on rivers and streams across the region, prompting 41 municipalities and communities to declare a state of local emergency, including Brandon, a city of 50,000 about 200 kilometres west of Winnipeg.
A helicopter from Manitoba Conservation and Water Stewardship has been placed in Brandon in case it is needed for rescues. A water rescue team from the Office of the Fire Commissioner has also been deployed in Brandon.
There are 72 sections of provincial roads affected by heavy rainfall, with many closed or under a caution and others under load restrictions. Check the provincial road report http://www.gov.mb.ca/mit/roadinfo/ for the status of highways.
While a high-pressure weather system will bring sun to Manitoba, there is also a chance of thunderstorms, and water is flowing into the region from Saskatchewan, where 300 people have been displaced by the rain-fed flooding.
Flood warnings have been issued for:
- the Assiniboine River, from the Shellmouth Dam to Brandon;
- all points along the Winnipeg River System, including Nutimik Lake;
- Lake St. Martin;
- Dauphin Lake;
- the Qu’Appelle River;
- the Vermillion and Wilson rivers and the Valley River near Dauphin;
- Medora Creek;
- Gainsborough Creek;
- Pipestone Creek;
- Gopher Creek;
- Roaring River at Minitonas;
- McKinnon Creek;
- Scissor Creek;
- Little Souris River;
- Epinette Creek;
- Graham Creek;
- Little Saskatchewan River;
- Smith Creek;
- Cutarm Creek;
- Silver Creek;
- Elgin Creek;
- Birdtail Creek;
- Arrow River;
- Oak River:
- Rolling River;
- Stony Creek;
- Antler River; and
- Turtlehead Creek.
Flood watches have been issued for Lake Manitoba and Lake Winnipeg.
High-water advisories have been issued for all points along the Red, Souris and Saskatchewan rivers.
Communities under a state of emergency are:
- The City of Brandon
- Sioux Valley Dakota Nation
Towns:
- Birtle
- Deloraine
- Hartney
- Melita
- Oake Lake
- Roblin
- Virden
Villages:
- Elkhorn
- Winnipegosis
Rural municipalities:
- Albert
- Alonsa
- Archie
- Arthur
- Birtle
- Blanchard
- Brenda
- Cameron
- Coldwell
- Cornwallis
- Daly
- Edward
- Elton
- Eriksdale
- Grahamdale
- Hamiota
- Miniota
- Morton
- Ochre River
- Pipestone
- Russell
- Shellmout-Boulton
- Sifton
- Siglunes
- Strathlair
- Wallace
- Westbourne
- Whitehead
- Winchester
- Woodworth
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