Flooding forces nearly 200 from homes

Hey there, time traveller!
This article was published 03/04/2017 (3137 days ago), so information in it may no longer be current.

Water from the Fisher River was slowly receding Monday at Peguis First Nation after flooding caused by ice jams forced evacuations from more than 80 homes in the community during the weekend.

Chief Glenn Hudson said the floodwater has receded only about 15 centimetres and the community, located about 180 kilometres north of Winnipeg, has been inundated with water.

“We’re holding steady at 84 evacuations,” Hudson said, reached by cellphone while he toured the community on Monday.

“It’s starting to recede, but we still have washed-out roads and obviously concerns regarding the safety of infrastructure throughout the community.”

Premier Brian Pallister told reporters late Monday afternoon he had spoken to Hudson on Monday morning.

Pallister said the Tories had pushed for permanent flood protection for Peguis when they were still in opposition.

“We’ll be looking for a federal partnership on that project.”

As of Monday afternoon, 194 people were out of their homes — 190 from Peguis, Long Plain, Fisher River, and Sioux Valley Dakota First Nations, and four from Petersfield, said Doug McMahon, assistant deputy minister of Manitoba Infrastructure.

There are eight local states of emergency, he said.

“This is a very early runoff,” McMahon said. “Levels on tributaries are levelling off and even declining.”

McMahon said water levels in the Melita, Souris, and Wawanesa areas are expected to remain manageable given current weather conditions. “We’re well below 2011 levels,” he said.

McMahon noted ice jams normally produce higher water levels than do the regular flow of runoff.

In any area that could affect water levels in Manitoba, “we haven’t seen any precipitation events in the short term forecasts that concern us,” McMahon said.

Pallister told the legislature conditions look hopeful, but “it’s a little early to breathe a sigh of relief just yet.”

In Peguis, floodwater reached some homes; although other homes were dry, they had to be evacuated because water had cut off road access to them. Hudson said it is too early to tell whether some homes may be lost.

“We’ve had a few (homes) inundated by floodwaters but people have been evacuated so once the water recedes, we’ll assess that,” he said.

He said the evacuees are staying in two Winnipeg hotels.

Hudson said crews in Peguis used excavators on Sunday to clear ice jams.

“That’s helping the water recede, along with the cold weather. Last night, it went down to -2 C, so those things are favourable in terms of allowing the water to flow faster,” he said.

Pallister told reporters he has visited 38 communities and Infrastructure Minister Blaine Pedersen has been to even more — but not while people are fighting flood waters. Those were “pre-emptive” visits, the premier said.

“I just didn’t take a photo crew, I didn’t throw a sandbag,” Pallister said. “They’re fighting for their survival.

“I don’t believe in going out and getting in the way of people fighting for their survival — they don’t want you in the way,” Pallister declared.

Flood fears were much lower in Winnipeg on Sunday.

“Things are going very well,” city spokesman Ken Allen said. Environment Canada’s forecast for the week — sunshine and above-normal temperatures — will help the city’s flood-planning and operations.

“The situation has stabilized,” Allen said.

The water level on the Red at James Avenue was at 19.2 feet. While water levels there are expected to stay around 19 ft. this week, a minor increase may still occur in the next two days as ice moves on the Assiniboine River.

The province said the Red River is expected to crest today or Wednesday.

Outside the city, the situation remained tense. Overland flooding continued Monday across much of southern Manitoba, mostly due to ice jams in the drainage network, major rivers and smaller tributaries, Manitoba Infrastructure’s Hydrologic Forecast Centre said in a news bulletin.

Netley Creek was continuing to run very high because ice jamming on the Red River was slowing the creek from draining into the river.

At St. Adolphe and Brunkild, partial ring dike closures were underway or completed.

The Manitoba government said eight states of local emergency had been registered with the province as of Monday: the municipalities of Prairie Lakes, Grassland, Brenda-Waskada, Dufferin, Grey, La Broquerie and Two Borders, and the Town of Carman.

In addition to Peguis, evacuations have also taken place at the Sioux Valley Dakota Nation. The Canadian Red Cross is working with both communities to provide assistance.

High water advisories issued by the province remained in effect Monday for the Overflowing, Valley and Vermillion rivers. A flood watch was issued for the lower Assiniboine River from Portage la Prairie to Headingley due to possible ice issues. Flood watches remained in effect for the Woody, Whitemud and Red Deer rivers.

Meanwhile, the flood watch was lifted from the Whitemouth River.

Flood warnings were issued for Birdtail Creek, the Turtle River and the upper Assiniboine River between the Shellmouth Dam and Holland.

For Swan River near Minitonas, Fisher River downstream of Dallas, the Morris River, Pipestone Creek and the Red River and Netley Creek near Petersfield, flood warnings remained in effect due to ice jamming.

At Gretna, the province said it was removing the partial dike closure at the border on Monday.

Water levels and flows on the Pembina River were stabilizing Monday as ice jams subsided. The Pembina at Windygates was nearing its second crest, expected to be lower than the first peak.

On the Assinboine River, the Portage Diversion began operation on Friday morning to limit flows on the lower Assiniboine River and to minimize ice jams.

The Assiniboine River’s major tributaries were still increasing including Birdtail and Silver creeks, Arrow, Oak, Little Saskatchewan, Little Souris and Cypress rivers. The Souris River and its tributaries were continuing to increase due to the run-off from the melt.

“Highway 75 will remain open,” McMahon told the news conference, but a decision will be made on whether use of a ramp in Morris will be necessary based on conditions over the next few days.

ashley.prest@freepress.mb.canick.martin@freepress.mb.ca