WINNIPEG – The rural municipalities of Glenwood and North Cyprus have been added to the list of 43 Manitoba communities that have declared local states of emergency due to flooding as water continues to rise.
Evacuations have taken place in Virden, on the Canupawakpa Dakota, Ebb and Flow, Sioux Valley Dakota, Waywayseecappo and Peguis First Nations, and in the RMs of Albert, Archie, Cameron, Edward, Miniota, Pipestone, Siglunes and Wallace. More than 400 people have left their homes because of the summer flooding.
With provincial and municipal roads across the region impassable because of the flooding, Manitoba Conservation and Water Stewardship has a helicopter on standby in Brandon in case rescues are required. For information about provincial road closures, check the Manitoba road report.
The Assiniboine River west of Brandon, Man., is spilling over its banks and on Thursday the province sharply increased its forecast peak to 48,000 to 52,000 cubic feet per second, close to the levels recorded during the 2011 flood.
The Portage Diversion is sending Assiniboine River water to Lake Manitoba, where the Fairford River Water Control Structure is being used to move water to Lake St. Martin. The water level on Lake Manitoba is forecast to peak at 814.5 feet. The province is working on opening an emergency outlet from Lake St. Martin to Lake Winnipeg.
READ MORE: Manitoba flooding: How the June flood compares to 2011
The province also warned those in flood-affected areas who rely on wells for water to start boiling it before using it or find alternative supplies of drinking water.
Flood warnings are in effect for:
- Assiniboine River from the Shellmouth Dam to Brandon
- The Winnipeg River system, including Nutimik Lake
- Qu’Appelle River
- Streams and drains in the Parkland region
- Streams and drains in the Souris River Basin
- Streams and drains in the Assiniboine Basin, from Holland upstream
- Lake St. Martin
- Dauphin Lake
Flood watches are in effect for:
- Souris River
- Lake Manitoba
- Lake Winnipeg
A high water advisory is in effect for:
- Red River
- Saskatchewan River
- Swan River
- Red Deer River
- Red Deer Lake
The Red River Floodway gates are open to prevent flooding in Winnipeg.
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