St. Andrews, Manitoba, flood risk reduced

The risk of flooding for people living in the rural municipality of St. Andrews, Man., north of Winnipeg, has been reduced following a code red alert that warned residents of a possible emergency evacuation.

The RM of St. Andrews issued a notice Thursday that said most ice jams have moved north past Breezy Point, where Netley Creek and the Red River meet, and water levels are going down. Most of the ice jams have moved into an area where no one lives, a St. Andrews official said.

Ice jams choke up the river, damming it and quickly forcing the water level up.

The notice the RM of St. Andrews issued on Wednesday warned people living along the Red River and creeks feeding the river of a possible evacuation. The notice said people should remove items from low-lying areas and clear snow from dikes or any place a temporary dike may be needed.

Last weekend the east side of Highway 204 just before the Selkirk Bridge was closed due to flooding. The ice jam that was clogging the Red River in Selkirk let go and moved north towards Netley-Libau Marsh, officials said. 

• 'Stubborn' ice jams, rising Red River levels cause concerns in Selkirk

There are still ice jams in Breezy Point but the situation is looking better, a St. Andrews official said. It will be monitored over the weekend.