Red, Souris rivers overflowing banks

Manitoba’s rivers overfloweth.

The Red River has spilled over its banks in St. Jean Baptiste and is near the top of its banks at Emerson, Letellier and Morris, while the Souris River has exceeded its banks at Melita.

The mighty Red is also causing havoc north of Winnipeg as an ice jam backed up water in Netley Creek, prompting the voluntary evacuation of about 50 homes.

Mother Nature isn’t making things any easier for people in at-risk areas, either. An "unstable weather system" is expected to dump between 10 to 40 mm of rain on various part southern Manitoba and North Dakota between now and Sunday morning, the province says, while rising temperatures will accelerate the snow melt.

The perfect storm prompted the RM of St. Andrews to evacuate about 50 homes this morning in the Jenny Drive area of Petersfield while voluntary evacuations have also taken place in the Breezy Point area.

Don Forfar, reeve of the RM of St. Andrews, said the evacuation may sound worse than it actually is as many of the homes are cottages that have yet to be opened for the summer. He said the good news is there has been no property flooding.

"The roads are low, it’s an access issue," he said.

If the ice jam on the Red River dissipates, it should be clear sailing for local residents, he said.

"We’re okay right now it’s what happens in the next 24 hours that matters," he said.