News Releases

August 20, 2021

The Hydrologic Forecast Centre of Manitoba Infrastructure has issued a precautionary overland flood warning for areas of southwest Manitoba and parts of central Manitoba. Rivers and creeks in Brandon, Melita, Virden and the Interlake region, including the Fisher and Icelandic rivers, could be affected by overland flooding.

There is a potential for significant precipitation to occur in most parts of southern and central Manitoba starting today and ending sometime next Wednesday. Southwest Manitoba, including areas near Brandon, Melita and Virden and parts of central Manitoba as well as the Interlake region, could get in the range of 100 to 150 millimetres (mm) of rain in the next three to five days that could lead to overland flooding.

A high-intensity summer rainfall in excess of 130 mm (five inches) in short duration could create overland flooding and flash flooding, even if the soil moisture is drier than normal. Overland flooding typically occurs in low-lying farmland adjacent to rivers and streams. It can also lead to streets being flooded in urban areas if the local drainage system is not able to handle high-intensity rain events. This can lead to strong currents around street drains.

There is also the potential for severe thunderstorms in these areas. Thunderstorms are likely to occur either Saturday or Monday and, at the peak, could bring in excess of 100 mm of rain in a very short time. It is unknown at this time where exactly the thunderstorms will occur.

Impacts of the forecast precipitation heavily depend on the amount, location and intensity of the event. Flows on main stems of major rivers (including the Red and Assiniboine rivers) will increase. However, flows will remain within the banks along main rivers.

Residents in these areas are advised to pay attention to sudden rising water levels in small creeks and urban drainage ditches.

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