Officials in Manitoba are forecasting the province will avoid major flooding if there is no major early April storm bringing in snow or rain.
Infrastructure Minister Ron Schuler says although considerable resources are being dedicated to responding to the COVID-19 pandemic, contingency plans are in place if the spring thaw requires high-water management like sandbagging.
He says because of the novel coronavirus, extra protocols are being put in place to ensure supplies in case of flooding.
The province is also preparing for social distancing of evacuees due to flooding, but Schuler says officials do not expect that to be an issue.
The flood outlook is still showing that a relatively warm and dry winter has eased annual spring flood fears.
Manitoba’s hydrologic forecast centre is reporting water levels like last year, when the Red River Floodway was put into service but Highway 75, which runs from Winnipeg to the United States border, remained open.
The province has made significant investments to mitigate water since the so-called Flood of the Century in 1997, such as ring dikes and diversion ditches to protect homes and businesses.
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