Overland flood watch issued for southwestern Manitoba starting Wednesday

Residents in southwestern Manitoba are being warned to brace for overland flooding, as heavy rainfall is expected to hit the area between Wednesday and Friday.

The province issued an overland flood watch Wednesday afternoon for areas south of the Trans-Canada Highway along the Virden to Brandon corridor, and west of Highway 10, including Souris, Melita and Boissevain. 

Forecasters with Manitoba's Hydrologic Forecast Centre said a precipitation system could bring more than 80 millimetres of rain to these areas over the next few days. Heavy rain over a short period could cause high surface runoff, leading to overland flooding, the province said in a news release. 

However, the exact location and amount of rain is still uncertain, the province warned. 

Areas in southern, central and northern Manitoba could also see between 20 to 70 millimetres of rainfall before the weather clears up on Friday night. 

Provincial officials are asking Manitobans to stay away from waterways, including creeks, streams, rivers and the Red River Floodway, while the flood watch is in effect. 

Members of the public should also avoid areas where flood-response crews are working, including flooded areas, dams and diversions. 

Strong winds are also expected to start on Thursday afternoon, lasting until Friday evening. North winds could reach up to 80 km/h, which may create waves that could hike up water levels by five feet or more. 

The flood watch comes as two dozen wildfires burn across parts of the province, which fire officials say have been caused by hot, dry weather and strong winds. 

Kristin Hayward, assistant deputy minister for the Conservation Officer Service and Manitoba Wildfire Service, said a few days of rain could help firefighting efforts, but the amount forecast may not be enough to quell fires in southeastern Manitoba, near Lac du Bonnet and Nopiming Provincial Park. 

"We are not seeing the forecasted amounts anywhere where we'd need them to be to extinguish the fires or make any appreciable difference in what those fires are doing," she said Wednesday.