An overland flood watch has been issued for all of southern and central Manitoba.
Manitoba Transportation and Infrastructure's Hydrologic Forecast Centre issued the statement as forecasters continue to monitor a series of precipitation systems starting today that could bring as much as 60 millimetres (mm) of rain to the region over the next five days. Rain amounts of more than 60 mm are possible in some localized areas.
A system starting today could bring 20 to 40 mm of rain and a second system beginning Friday has the potential to bring another 20 to 40 mm of rain. Most ditches and waterways are either full or near capacity. Heavy rain occurring over a short period on saturated soil could create overland flooding. Water level forecasts will be updated to determine impacts from this precipitation on areas that are already experiencing flooding.
Flooding continues in the Interlake, Red River Valley and many other portions of central and southern Manitoba. Residents in these areas are advised to monitor local conditions and take any necessary flood mitigation actions.
Several communities throughout the province continue to be impacted by high water levels. The Manitoba Emergency Measures Organization (EMO) continues to work with all local authorities and emergency management partners to provide guidance and support for response and recovery activities.
Reported impacts to date include loss of road access, flooded properties and damage to infrastructure. As a result of these impacts, four municipal emergency operations centres have been activated and states of local emergency have been declared in 26 communities. Manitoba EMO continues to work with Indigenous Services Canada (ISC) in supporting ISC-led response measures with First Nation communities.