Flood warning for Red River Valley, overland flood warning continues for southern Manitoba
Manitoba Transportation and Infrastructure’s Hydrologic Forecast Centre has issued a flood warning for the Red River Valley from Emerson to the Red River Floodway inlet just south of the city of Winnipeg.
An overland flood warning continues for southern Manitoba from the Saskatchewan border eastward to Provincial Trunk Highway (PTH) 12 and from the United States border northwards to PTH 1, extending north of PTH 1 between PTH 5 and PTH 16, and north of PTH 1 between Portage la Prairie and Winnipeg.
Current storm system compares closely to 'Storm of the Century'
The winter storm is mostly playing out the way Environment Canada is expecting it to, except for a slight delay last night in the arrival of storm conditions to reach southern Manitoba.
Natalie Hasell, warning preparedness meteorologist, notes snowfall amounts will be the highest west of Winnipeg and added there is also a slight change to the conditions that can be expected in the Southeast.
Red River crest reaches Winnipeg
The crest on the Red River is passing through Winnipeg today although the operation of the Red River Floodway will keep water levels relatively stable.
Manitoba Transportation and Infrastructure (MTI) says Flood warnings continue for a few locations along the Red River; St. Jean to Morris, in the vicinity of St. Adolphe, Selkirk and locations downstream due to ice jamming. A flood watch remains for all other areas on the Red River from Emerson to the Red River Floodway. There is a risk of moderate flooding in these areas.
Red River might crest twice due to rain next week
A weather system is expected to bring 15-20mm (about 0.79 in) precipitation across much of southern Manitoba this week.
According to Manitoba Transportation and Infrastructure (MTI), this could result in a higher crest or a second crest at some locations on the Red River, depending on the amount of precipitation received.
MTI reports the Red River remains near its crest at Drayton, North Dakota. The forecast for the Red River in Manitoba is under review and will be updated later on the flood sheets and hydrographs.