Brandon cautiously optimistic as Assiniboine crest looms

BRANDON — The Assiniboine River continued its gradual rise Sunday, leaving some city streets under water.

As of 7 a.m. Sunday, the river level at First Street measured 1,179.23 feet, an increase of 1.62 feet over the previous 24 hours. The river was expected to peak Sunday, the City of Brandon said, and crews continue to monitor dikes, lift stations and other flood protection.

By Sunday afternoon, rising water had forced the closure of northbound First Street. Traffic was directed in both directions using the southbound lane, where water had already covered portions of the road. Motorists were asked to use extreme caution, allow extra travel time and consider alternate routes.

Mayor Jeff Fawcett said the city remains on track with flood forecast.

“The forecast on the river has been very accurate, and it is where it was expected,” Fawcett said Sunday afternoon. “We do expect just a little bit of a rise still, but that’s well within what we were expecting.”

Despite the rising water, Fawcett confirmed no residents have been evacuated from their homes.

“Everybody is aware that it could happen, but no, nobody has been evacuated,” he said. “Staff continues to monitor everything in our system, and should anything be needed, it would be brought forward.”

Evacuation noticed were provided to as many as 5,000 residents as a precaution. Fawcett had encouraged those residents to pack an emergency “go bag” — containing personal identification, other essential documents, medication, clothing and phone chargers — in case they have to leave.

Fawcett expected the river to rise about another foot before reaching its crest sometime late Sunday or Monday. He said the river may remain near its peak for several days before it starts to recede.

“The monitoring continues on everything because there’s that pressure on the dike,” Fawcett said. “It impacts things like the lift stations. It impacts First Street, obviously. We’ll continue to do a lot of monitoring, and the weather has to continue to work with us.”

He credited favourable weather conditions with helping the city’s flood response.

The mayor praised city employees, contractors and emergency personnel for strengthening flood defences under changing conditions, and Brandon residents for taking the flood threat seriously.

“They’ve respected the dikes, supported staff and contractors, asked good questions, shown preparedness and respected the river.”

For residents living closest to the river, Sunday’s conditions have brought back memories of previous floods.

Alan Nickel, who has lived on the 3000 block of MacDonald Avenue for 18 years, said floodwater has reached his property’s storage area but remains well below the levels seen during Brandon’s major floods in 2011 and 2014.

“I think the city is doing everything they can,” Nickel said. “I’m surprised that they’re adding on to the dikes, but it’s good. I think they’re doing the right thing.”

Although some cleanup may be necessary, Nickel said he is not overly concerned.

“It was about four or five feet higher than that in 2011 and 2014,” he said. “I understand it’s not going to go as high as that, so it shouldn’t really affect us a whole lot. A little bit of work, but no big deal.”

City officials say they will issue regular flood updates as conditions change and monitor flood protection infrastructure until river levels begin to fall.

— Brandon Sun