Floodwater recedes north of Winnipeg
CBC News
Posted: Apr 10, 2011 11:13 AM CT
Last Updated: Apr 10, 2011 2:59 PM CT
People work to erect tube dikes north of Winnipeg on Saturday. (CBC)People living in bedroom communities north of Winnipeg may soon return to their homes after floodwater levels from the surging Red River dropped overnight Saturday.
Thirty-four homes were evacuated Saturday from the Netley Creek area as a precaution. An ice jam caused water levels to rise quickly.
Levels continued to fluctuate Saturday night, but appear to have stabilized, said Darcy Hardman, emergency coordinator for the Rural Municipality of St. Andrews.
By Sunday morning, however, the river water wasn’t touching any emergency tube dikes, and crews were working to pump out water from behind any other dikes erected in the area.
'It’s very hard physical work. And it’s very gratifying.'—Winnipeg homeowner Terence Panych
Two area homes took on water and have flooded basements, Hardman said. Crews are also working to pump out those homes.
Emergency officials said as of Monday, they will begin moving toward building up flood defences for the coming weeks.
The Red River is expected to crest in late April or early May.
Volunteers sought for city
Inside Winnipeg, officials are hoping to draw 900 volunteers each day until further notice to help build sandbag dikes at low-lying properties within the city limits.
Saturday, 800 people turned out to help sandbag at 16 different locations. Sunday's effort will focus on the 100 block of Kingston Row.
Large chunks of ice are washing up on city properties as a massive sandbagging effort continues. (James Turner/CBC)Those who wish to help are asked to call 311 so officials can organize who is going where.
But the head of the city’s emergency measures department said people who aren’t at affected properties to help to stay away.
“We just don't need the extra traffic in sandbagging locations … we don't really want to give out exact locations because we don't want people rubbernecking and trying to check out these sites,” Randy Hull said.
A team of about 120 people turned up at Terence Panych’s Kingston Row home to bolster a sandbag dike at the rear of the property.
Canada Geese, returning to Manitoba after the winter, have been taking advantage of the excess of water in the city.(James Turner/CBC)A city engineer was overseeing the effort to ensure the dike was constructed properly.
“It’s not glamorous work,” Panych said. “It’s very hard physical work. And it’s very gratifying … people come out and help somebody they don’t even know,” he said.
By 2 p.m. 382 people had registered with the city to assist with sandbagging efforts.
