April 15, 2024
Overland Flood Warning Issued for Northwestern Manitoba
Manitoba Transportation and Infrastructure’s Hydrologic Forecast Centre is issuing an overland flood warning for areas in northwestern Manitoba including the Swan River, The Pas and Flin Flon areas as forecasters continue to monitor a precipitation system that could bring up to 50 millimetres of a rain and snow mix in these areas in the coming three days.
The Hydrologic Forecast Centre indicates that spring runoff due to snowmelt is underway or nearly completed in most southern Manitoba basins. However, heavy precipitation on partially frozen ground could create overland flooding.
Southern and central Manitoba including the Interlake, Whiteshell lakes, Riding Mountain and Duck Mountain regions could receive up to 25 mm of precipitation in the next three days, starting tomorrow morning. The risk of overland flooding in these areas depends on the amount and timing of the precipitation event.
The Hydrologic Forecast Centre indicates the fast snowmelt rate that occurred in the upper Assiniboine River basin in Saskatchewan created significantly high flows along the Assiniboine River. Flood Warning remains in place for the Assiniboine River between the Shellmouth Dam and Brandon. Water levels are expected to be over the banks at these locations until first week of May.
The Manitoba Emergency Management Organization (EMO) continues to work with all local authorities and emergency management partners to provide guidance and support in response to spring flooding. Additionally, Manitoba EMO continues to work with Indigenous Services Canada and Manitoba Municipal and Northern Relations to support First Nation and Northern Affairs communities’ flood response.
Manitobans are reminded to stay off waterways including creeks, streams, rivers and the floodway. High flows, debris and cold water temperatures present a significant safety risk. Members of the public are also asked to keep away from flooded areas, water control structures including dams and diversions, and areas where flood response crews are working.
Up-to-date information on highway conditions, including detours and road closures, is available at www.manitoba511.ca or by calling 511.
Flood mitigation assistance can be directed to the municipal authority. In case of an emergency, residents are advised to contact 911.
For questions about forecasts, water levels, provincial waterways or provincial water control infrastructure, call 204-945-1165 or email floodinfo@gov.mb.ca.
For more information about flooding in Manitoba, visit www.manitoba.ca/floodinfo.
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BACKGROUND INFORMATION ATTACHED