Manitoba braces for extreme flooding

Manitobans should expect a springtime flood on par with that experienced in 2009, when thousands were forced from their homes, a vast amount of farmland was swamped and parts of a major highway washed out.

Provincial government officials said Monday that with average precipitation between now and the snowmelt, Manitoba will experience substantial flooding.

Above-average precipitation will result in levels on par with the so-called "Flood of the Century" in 1997.

Flooding in 2009 submerged about 1,800 square kilometres of land and forced about 2,500 people to register as evacuees with the Red Cross or Manitoba Association of Native Fire Fighters.

In 1997, the coverage was 2,000 square kilometres — an area equivalent to the size of Prince Edward Island.

The situation facing Manitobans in 2011 was part of an announcement that included details about the province's $22-million plan to fight the rising waters.

The flood potential is high on numerous rivers, including the Red, Souris, Pembina, Assiniboine, Winnipeg, Saskatchewan and Fisher, as well as in the Interlake region, according to the outlook.

"High river flows, above-normal snow-water content in the snowpack, and an expected cooler and wetter spring have increased the probabilities of significant flooding," according to a statement from the province.

However, the spring flood potential is still very dependent on weather conditions from now through to the spring melt. For instance, a cooler-than-average spring might result in a staggered, slow melt and reduce the flooding impact, the government said.

"The amount of additional snow and rain, plus the timing and rate of the spring thaw and the timing of peak flows in Manitoba as well as other states and provinces will have a significant effect on the flood potential," stated the government release, also noting that overland flooding could also be extensive due to ice jams, snow blockages or frozen culverts in river channels, drains and ditches.

Millions for sandbags, equipment

Manitoba Premier Greg Selinger said about $21 million will be spent on obtaining new equipment, including two new sandbag-making machines, bringing the total number available for use to five. They will be deployed as needed, Selinger said.

The province expects to make a total of 2.2 million sandbags and as many as 20,000 so-called "super sandbags," Selinger added.

Twenty new steam machines to unblock frozen drainage culverts and ditches will also be purchased, meaning flood-fighters will have access to 57 of them, Selinger said.

While the province has already purchased a third Amphibex machine to help break up river ice, Selinger said officials will buy three more amphibious vehicles for a total of six.

The full flood outlook is available on the Manitoba government website.