Water levels in Manitoba First Nation could crest again, a foot higher than before

A Manitoba First Nation devastated by flooding is evacuating more residents 11 days into its flood fight to protect the community.

As of Tuesday, 1,900 people living in Peguis First Nation have had to leave their homes, Chief Glenn Hudson said Tuesday.

The number amounts to more than 42 per cent of residents directly affected by the natural disaster, who are now dispersed in communities across Manitoba, including Gimli, Selkirk and Winnipeg, Hudson said.

He told Global News Monday even more people may need to evacuate given that there is rain in the forecast.

Hudson met with provincial Emergency Measures Organization officials and provincial forecasters on Sunday, along with Indigenous Services Canada (ISC).

“They are predicting that (the crest) will be a foot higher than what the previous level was, and we are gearing up for that in terms of building up our sandbags, building up our Tiger Dams … to have a freeboard of a foot higher than what the forecast is.”

Hudson said he wasn’t feeling positive about the situation, despite labouring away to also make sure the community can drive out on an alternative route if the main road in — Provincial Road 224 — is breached again.

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In a Monday statement, ISC said it was meeting with First Nations and provincial officials daily, prepared to further support residents in need.

ISC has activated the Canadian Red Cross, which is providing accommodation, food, laundry and personal hygiene products, the spokesperson continued.

The department is also covering the cost of sandbagging, water pumping and temporary dike construction, they said.

While hundreds have left, Hudson said Tuesday he’s prioritizing the safety of those who’ve stayed behind.

“We have a couple of Sherps that are amphibious vehicles. We’ve hauled families of eight out of their homes with those vehicles.”

A medevac helicopter — on standby 24 hours a day since Thursday — is the newest tool in their arsenal, Hudson said.

“Within the first hour, there was a 17-day-old baby that had to go out,” he said.

It’s become a pertinent lifesaving tool, said Stefan Zueff, ambulance superintendent at Peguis First Nation. The helicopter took six flights on Monday alone

A hundred volunteers with the First Nation Community Response Corporation are back in the community helping fill sandbags to protect homes and infrastructure.

Hudson said they’re also receiving help from neighbouring First Nations.

“We’re in response mode right now,” he said Monday, adding that the community would still need to address its long-term flood strategy.

Ottawa hasn’t made any commitments for long-term protection just yet, Hudson said.

“People are fatigued. People are upset about their homes. (They) don’t know whether they’re going to come back to their homes.”

“I know as First Nations people, though, we deserve better than not having long-term flood protection in place.”

— with files from Brittany Greenslade

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