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Province closing ring dikes, more people evacuated

By: Staff Writer

Posted: 04/16/2009 1:37 PM | Comments: 0 (including replies)

A road is rebuilt today after the previous access road was washed away at this house on Turnbull Drive. (MIKE DEAL / WINNIPEG FREE PRESS)

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Tory Leader Hugh McFadyen took a helicopter tour of areas north of the city today, including devastated homes in Breezy Point . (KEN GIGLIOTTI / WINNIPEG FREE PRESS)

Flood Fight

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They're closing up the ring dikes and getting the people out of more flood-stricken Manitoba communities.

The latest update from the provincial government says partial ring dike closures are now proceeding at Niverville and Gretna. Partial closures are in place at Emerson, Dominion City, Letellier, Roseau River, St. Jean Baptiste, Morris, Rosenort, Aubigny, Grande Pointe, Brunkild, Ste. Agathe and St. Adolphe. Riverside is fully closed. Ring dikes along the Red River Valley are being carefully monitored.

To the north, an unprecedented ice jam on the Icelandic River at Riverton triggered the evacuation of approximately 85 people Wednesday night who live along the river.

Ice collided with a heavy ice pack on Lake Winnipeg at the mouth of the Icelandic river and caused flooding. An Amphibex icebreaker was sent to the area but the ice began to break up on its own and water levels dropped quickly after a brief surge. No homes were flooded.

The RM of St. Adolphe issued a voluntary evacuation order to 100 residents outside of the ring dike who will be isolated by flood waters. About 40 residents of the St. Adolphe Personal Care Home have been moved to Winnipeg as a precautionary measure.

The Manitoba Association of Native Fire Fighters has helped evacuate Peguis First Nation by moving 175 people. Another 225 medically-vulnerable people from Fisher River First Nation are also being moved.

Close to 488 residents of evacuated Roseau River remain in Winnipeg and 60 Sioux Valley residents are also still out of their homes.

At Brokenhead First Nation, four families had to leave their homes because of an ice jam. The jam has now broken and levels are subsiding.

A reception centre for evacuees has been established at the Century Arena at 1377 Clarence Ave. in Winnipeg. The reception centre is hosted by the city, the province, the Red Cross, Salvation Army and St. John Ambulance. Evacuees are encouraged to stay with family and friends and asked to register by calling the Canadian Red Cross Registration and Family Reunification line at 1-888-662-3211.

In the RM of Cartier, 125 volunteers sandbagged 13 residences. The risk from the La Salle River appears to have dropped, the province said.

In the RM of St. Francois Xavier, eight residences have been sandbagged and five may still be at risk.

A trailer equipped with flood tubes was sent to Fisher River First Nation and Aquadams were installed at Peguis Wednesday.

The province has set up three flood liaison offices that are open seven days a week from 7 a.m. to 9 p.m. and located in Winnipeg (945-2354), Morris (204-746-7325) and Brandon (204-729-1220).

There are a number of washed-out roads. The government is warning motorists to respect "closed barricade" signs and check road conditions before travelling at www.manitoba.ca or by calling 204-945-3704 or 1-877-627-6237 (toll-free).

city.desk@freepress.mb.ca

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