November 21, 2010
Province Continues Co-ordination of Late-fall Flooding Response
– – –Government Expertise and Equipment Deployed on Ice-jam-related Flooding in West-Central Area
The Manitoba Emergency Measures Organization (EMO) reports provincial resources continue to work in the vicinity of Pelican Rapids, Sapotaweyak Cree Nation and the community of Waterhen.
These communities have been facing ice-jam-related fall flooding as a result of frazzle ice and extreme cold weather. The unusual frazil-ice conditions cause temporary rises in river levels.
The province continues monitoring and supporting flood fighting in these locations:
· The Shoal River in the vicinity of Pelican Rapids and the Sapotaweyak Cree Nation:
- the Amphibex ice-breaking vessel continues to work on ice jams,
- berm construction continues to protect about 30 houses,
- reports indicate undetermined damage at five homes,
- 25 evacuees have moved outside the community, and
- 22 people have been moved within the community.
· The Waterhen River near the community of Waterhen:
- the community has declared a state of local emergency;
- the province has supplied over 400 Tiger Tube rapid-deployment, temporary-diking devices;
- PR 328 is now closed to all but local traffic in the vicinity of Waterhen due to water over the road; and
- the Amphibex may also be deployed to the Waterhen area.
· The Roseau River:
- The province is also monitoring high levels along the Roseau River in the southeast area of the province. There is no flooding reported at this time.
The Emergency Measures Act provides the authority for local officials working under a local state of emergency to issue an order to any party to do everything necessary to prevent or limit loss of life and damage to property or the environment.
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