Homes evacuated on Sioux Valley, Roseau reserves

Flooding has forced 25 people from their homes on a pair of southern Manitoba First Nations, and more evacuations are possible at a third reserve in the Interlake.

Approximately 15 people have left Sioux Valley Dakota First Nation, west of Brandon, due to flooding on the Oak River, which flows into the Assiniboine River, the province said in a daily flood bulletin.

Another 10 have left Roseau River Anishinabe First Nation, at the confluence of the Roseau and Red rivers. Evacuations are also possible at Peguis First Nation due to rising water on the Fisher River, which has isolated some homes, the province said.

In other flood news, partial ring dikes are now in place in six Red River Valley communities: Emerson, Gretna, St. Jean Baptiste, St. Adolphe, Ste. Agathe and Brunkild.

But the province is holding off on plans to close Highway 75 at Morris, at least as of 5:20 p.m. The status of the highway will be reassessed every few hours, the province says.

Overland flooding, meanwhile, is taking place in many rural municipalities, submerging roads and highways -- and threatening some homes -- near Roblin, Morden and St. Laurent, the province said. A bridge at Edwards Creek near Dauphin has been damaged by ice, the Tourond Creek is high near Steinbach and a four-kilometre tube dike is going up along the Roseau River near Gardenton.