Drivers in the area are asked to use extreme caution on Highway 17, which remains open despite extremely high water levels moving onto the roadway.
The Ministry of Transportation re-opened Highway 17 after water forced a closure between Rhyner’s Road and 83 road late last night. However, Highway 599 remains closed 15 km south of Pickle Lake due to a washout, and Highway 605 Dryden is closed in multiple locations due to water.
Near Kenora, Highway 641 north of Highway 17A at War Eagle Drive is closed due to a washout, and Highway 658 near Reddit, north of the Basket Lake Bridge, is also closed due to a washout.
More rain is expected to hit the region this weekend, starting with up to 25 millimetres of rain and possible thunderstorms tonight.
The Ministry of Northern Development, Mines, Natural Resources and Forestry is making sandbags available to residents in unorganized areas of Kenora and Dryden, as well as bags being made available by the City of Kenora or city residents.
The Ministry has also issued a flood warning for the Dryden area. The City of Kenora and the Municipality of Red Lake have both issued a State of Emergency.