May 14, 2025
Province Issues Overland Flood Watch for Southwestern Manitoba and High Wind Effect Warning for Parts of Lake Manitoba and Lake Winnipeg
Manitoba Transportation and Infrastructure’s Hydrologic Forecast Centre is issuing an overland flood watch for parts of southwestern Manitoba including areas south of the Trans-Canada Highway along the Virden to Brandon corridor and west of PTH 10 including Souris, Melita and Boissevain. Forecasters are monitoring a precipitation system that could bring in excess of 80 millimetres of rain to these areas from May 14 to 16. Other areas of Manitoba including southern, central and northern regions could receive 20 to 70 mm of precipitation before the system clears out on Friday night.
The Hydrologic Forecast Centre indicates the exact location and amount of the precipitation event remains uncertain but heavy rainfall over a short period may create high surface runoff which could lead to overland flooding, regardless of current soil moisture condition.
Manitobans are reminded to stay off waterways including creeks, streams, rivers and the Red River Floodway. High flows 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.
The Hydrologic Forecast Centre indicates the precipitation system comes with high winds expected to develop Thursday afternoon and last until Friday evening, which may result in high wind effects along the south basin of Lake Manitoba as well as shorelines near Gimli on the west side and Victoria Beach on the east side of Lake Winnipeg.
North wind gusting up to 80 kilometres per hour and the resulting wave action could raise water levels by as much as five feet or more.
Property owners are advised to take precautions. A map of the Manitoba lakes wind effect forecast showing the affected areas is available at: www.manitoba.ca/floodinfo/wind_effect_alerts/mb_lakes_20250516.pdf.
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 more information about flooding in Manitoba, visit www.manitoba.ca/floodinfo.
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