April 16, 2009
Flood Media Bulletin #28
Flood Response
· Partial ring dike closures are now proceeding at Niverville and Gretna. All ring dikes along the Red River Valley are being carefully monitored. Partial closures are in place at Emerson, Dominion City, Letellier, Roseau River, St. Jean Baptiste, Morris, Rosenort, Aubigny, Grande Pointe, Brunkild, Ste. Agathe and St. Adolphe. Riverside is fully closed.
· In the RM of Cartier, 125 volunteers sandbagged 13 residences. The risk from the La Salle River appears to have dropped. In the RM of St. Francois Xavier, eight residences have been sandbagged and five may still be at risk.
· A trailer equipped with flood tubes was sent to Fisher River First Nation yesterday and Aquadams were installed yesterday at Peguis.
· There are a number of roads washed out in the province. Closed barricade signs must be respected and motorists are advised to drive with extreme caution. Road conditions are changing quickly. Check highway conditions before travelling at www.manitoba.ca or call 204-945-3704 or 1-877-627-6237 (toll-free).
· The province has steamers working to thaw frozen culverts and drains across southern Manitoba.
· There are three Flood Liaison Offices in operation. They are open seven days a week from 7 a.m. to 9 p.m. and are located in Winnipeg (945-2354), Morris (204-746-7325) and Brandon
(204-729-1220).
(204-729-1220).
Evacuations
· An unprecedented ice jam on the Icelandic River at Riverton triggered the evacuation of approximately 85 people last night who live along the river. Ice collided with a heavy ice pack at the lake at the mouth of the river and caused flooding. An Amphibex icebreaker was sent to the area but the ice began to break up on its own and water levels dropped quickly after a brief surge. No homes were flooded.
· The RM of St. Adolphe issued a voluntary evacuation order to 100 residents outside of the ring dike who will be isolated by flood waters. In addition, approximately 40 residents of the St. Adolphe Personal Care Home were evacuated to Winnipeg as a precautionary measure.
· The Manitoba Association of Native Fire Fighters has helped evacuate 175 people from Peguis First Nation and are beginning to move 225 medically vulnerable people from Fisher River First Nation. Approximately 488 residents of Roseau River remain evacuated in Winnipeg and 60 residents are still evacuated from Sioux Valley. At Brokenhead First Nation, four families were evacuated because of an ice jam. The jam has now broken and levels are subsiding.
· A reception centre has been established at the Century Arena at 1377 Clarence Ave. in Winnipeg. The reception centre is hosted by the City of Winnipeg in collaboration with its partners the Winnipeg Regional Health Authority, Manitoba Family Services and Housing, Canadian Red Cross Society, Salvation Army and St. John Ambulance. Where possible, evacuees are encouraged to stay with family and friends. Residents who are evacuated from their communities and do not require emergency lodging or immediate financial assistance are asked to register by calling the Canadian Red Cross Registration and Family Reunification line at 1-888-662-3211.
Flood information is available at www.manitoba.ca.
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