Registration for evacuations increases as the water rises

By: Bill Redekop Posted: 1:00 AM CDT Friday, Apr. 17, 2009

IT'S time to get out, say people living outside ring dikes in the Rural Municipality of Ritchot directly south of Winnipeg.

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IT'S time to get out, say people living outside ring dikes in the Rural Municipality of Ritchot directly south of Winnipeg.

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This article was published 17/04/2009 (6050 days ago), so information in it may no longer be current.

IT’S time to get out, say people living outside ring dikes in the Rural Municipality of Ritchot directly south of Winnipeg.

"Our house is an island. We live on Highway 200, which is just about to go under," said Ron De Cruyenaere.

That will cut off road access for the family. So on Thursday, De Cruyenaere registered at the evacuation centre at Century Arena, 1377 Clarence Ave., in Fort Garry.

De Cruyenaere’s wife and children will live in a hotel in Winnipeg, while he stays back with the house to make sure his pumps don’t get plugged or break down. Many families in the area are making the same type of arrangements. Some seniors are also departing.

De Cruyenaere responded to the voluntary evacuation order issued by the RM of Ritchot on Wednesday. That allows residents in threatened areas to leave their homes and receive provincial assistance. The province pays for lodgings as well as $33 per person per day for meals.

Registration for evacuation spiked Wednesday and Thursday as a result. About 100 people registered at the evacuation centre Wednesday, and 109 on Thursday.

As well, about 40 residents from a seniors centre in St. Adolphe were evacuated Wednesday. That is a precautionary measure in case road access to St. Adolphe is cut off.

Meanwhile, the Salvation Army reports it has served over 100 gallons of chili and about 8,000 meals to sandbaggers since the flood fight began.

The Canadian Red Cross is managing the registration of evacuees. People can also register by calling the Red Cross toll-free at 1-888-662-3211.

bill.redekop@freepress.mb.ca