Flood Watch

Hey there, time traveller!
This article was published 24/04/2009 (6009 days ago), so information in it may no longer be current.

Newest developments: Parts of Highway 75, a key link between Winnipeg and the United States, will likely remain closed until May 10 if there’s no heavy rain, Manitoba flood forecaster Alf Warkentin said. The highway has been closed since April 7.

Warkentin said there is still a "significant threat" of sewer backup in Winnipeg if there is heavy rain while river levels remain high.

The Red River level at James Avenue in Winnipeg Thursday morning was still above 20 feet — 20.27 feet, a drop of two inches from the previous day. The river fell mainly because of decreased flows on the Assiniboine River.

Despite the late spring and the fact there is still water on a lot of farmland in the Red River Valley and elsewhere, the provincial government doesn’t foresee significant seeding delays this spring as long as the weather stays fairly dry, spokesman Mike Kagan said. Farmers may have to resort to faster-maturing crops in some of the flooded areas.

Trouble spots

The Souris River continues to rise, although the forecast crest along the Manitoba portion of the river is now a foot lower because of new data from the U.S. National Weather Service.

Flooding continues in the Pembina Valley, but levels are declining at all points, the province said.

Flood facts:

TO date, 2,612 people have been forced out of their homes because of flooding. In 1997, 28,300 Manitobans, mainly in the Red River Valley, were forced to leave their homes.