Brandon hoping worst of flooding is over

BRANDON — City of Brandon officials continued to monitor and inspect flood infrastructure as the level of the Assiniboine River slowly receded Tuesday.

The river was measured at 1,179.21 feet above sea level at 8 a.m. on Tuesday, compared to the 1,179.49-foot crest at 2 a.m. on Monday.

“Our next steps are really focusing on monitoring and inspecting, and (continuing) to communicate to the public … our current state, and that we need to keep an eye on things very closely,” the city’s emergency co-ordinator, Tobin Praznik, said on Tuesday.

“It’s really making sure that people are still aware that we are in a significant high-water event, and it’s going to take some time before that water recedes — from a comfort level.”

The city is keeping tabs on the forecast for potential rain along the Assiniboine and near the Shellmouth Dam, which is used to control the level of the Assiniboine, 24 kilometres northwest of Russell.

Officials don’t expect water levels to rise again, but “we still need to be prepared for those unforeseen circumstances,” Praznik said.

Residents of some Brandon neighbourhoods that are adjacent to the river have been put on notice they may need to evacuate.

“We want people to be comfortable, but on the flip side, we also want them to be prepared because, as we know, things just happen, and it’s important that we stay alert for this next number of weeks while this water continues to be at this high level,” Praznik said.

The city feels comfortable with the protection currently in place, he said.

Mayor Jeff Fawcett said the city is ready for “all sorts of things” but that crews will start to feel better at the end of the week and next week as water levels continue to drop.

Residents in the flood-prone areas of the city should continue to be aware of the situation and watch for safety messages, he said.

People should also stay away from the river, dikes and closed roads.

No major infrastructure has been damaged.

Grand Valley Road has been closed for more than a week after crews built a dike to keep water from going onto 18th Street, a main thoroughfare, and the surrounding neighbourhood. Dinsdale and Brandon Youth Soccer Association parks were submerged with floodwater on Monday and Tuesday.

The 1,179.49-foot crest on Monday compares to an about 1,183-foot peak during the 2011 flood, the 1,185-foot level in 2014 and 1,179.24 feet in 2017.

Praznik said while the numbers are good for comparison’s sake, every flooding situation is different and they are handled differently.

— Brandon Sun