Significant rainfall over the past few days has led to flooding, road washouts and damage to provincial infrastructure throughout the Parkland region and parts of the Interlake. As a result, emergency response efforts are ongoing across the region and travel is restricted throughout an area from Russell north to Mafeking, east to the Saskatchewan and west to the area around Dauphin Lake.
Manitoba Transportation and Infrastructure reports up to 50 roads have been damaged, are covered by water or may have washed out sections, including all the roads into Duck Mountain Provincial Park. Manitoba Parks has registered nearly 200 park users (including campers, cottagers, residents and commercial operators) within the park and is working with other agencies to restore power and road access.
Some areas of the region received as much as 200 millimetres of rain over the past couple of days, leading to overland flooding, water on roadways and dozens of washouts. There are 30 communities that have declared a state of emergency at this time. For this reason, travel is significantly restricted and unless you are responding to an emergency or live in the area, travel is not advised.
Provincial staff have been in regular communication with affected municipalities and First Nations and are working to support recovery and flood protection efforts. This includes the delivery of thousands of sandbags, super sandbags and tiger dams that can be filled and deployed as needed.
Provincial staff are responding to road issues and working to ensure access can be restored as soon as possible.
As a result of this rainfall, water levels on reservoirs and lakes, including the Shellmouth Reservoir (Lake of the Prairies), Rivers Dam (Lake Wahtopanah), Minnedosa Dam and Dauphin Lake, could rise by one to three feet over the next few days. Property owners, lake users and visitors are advised to use caution near shorelines, docks, boat launches and low-lying areas, as water levels may rise quickly and conditions could change with little notice.
Water levels along rivers, creeks and drainage areas within the Assiniboine River basin and Parkland region could rise significantly over a short period of time. Residents, landowners and recreational users are advised to use caution near waterways, avoid crossing flooded roads or fast-moving water, and monitor local conditions closely.
An overland flood warning remains in effect for parts of western Manitoba that are potentially impacted by the heavy rain.
The Manitoba Emergency Management Organization continues to work with local authorities, First Nations and emergency management partners to provide guidance and support for flood preparedness and response activities. This includes reviewing existing emergency plans, sharing information and preparing resources used in flood response.
