The temperature is finally creeping above zero, so the spring melt is slowly starting in Winnipeg.
That’s already created runoff problems in several neighbourhoods. Many streets are ankle deep in slushy water and city crews are struggling to steam open the drains that are still plugged with ice and snow.
“You have to go very slowly so everything doesn’t freeze up under your car,” said Claudette Mcdonald, who has driven through a makeshift lake on St. Pierre Street for a week.
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Crews can’t steam the catch basins until the temperature is above zero. Cooler weather overnight is making work difficult.
The city is also reminding homeowners to make sure their sump pump is working.
“There is a lot of homes that really don’t need to look at the river, they need to look towards the sky,” said Randy Hall, Winnipeg’s Emergency Preparedness Coordinator. “If we have a heavy rain event when the river is high certainly we will have some concern with sewer back up.”
The city has identified 26 properties that will need to be sandbagged along the Red River.
The majority of them are in St. Norbert.
“It’s not something I am looking forward to,” said Marc Penner, who is preparing his back yard for a dike.
The city estimates 32,000 sandbags are needed for the properties.
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