Good news on the flood front

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This article was published 05/06/2011 (5418 days ago), so information in it may no longer be current.

Some good news from Manitoba flood forecasters: A wind warning for Lake Manitoba is over and the Saskatchewan River in The Pas won’t rise as high as predicted.

New data suggest water levels on the river are expected to reach 855.5 to 857 feet, depending on the weather. Dikes must still be raised on Ralls Island, but not as high as the four additional feet anticipated Friday. Preparations to reinforce existing dikes and build permanent dikes are underway, says the province.

The wind warning for the Lake Manitoba area has been lifted, allowing cottagers already struggling to cope with damage from last week’s storm a bit of breathing room.

A strong wind warning is in effect for Lake Winnipeg’s north basin, however.

The Souris River through Melita and Souris has risen slightly thanks to recent rain in North Dakota. It could crest above the April peak if bad weather hits again.

Residents along the Souris River are advised to keep flood-protection systems in place.

In the Ochre River/Crescent Beach area on Dauphin Lake, mandatory evacuation notices were issued to approximately 45 residences, eight of which are permanent homes.

Sandbagging has already been underway there and some residents have been ordered out.