'Controlling everything we can control,' Mayor says ahead of expected flooding
Crews in Brandon were placing super sandbags along First Street on Wednesday, as preparations continue for rising floodwaters expected to hit Manitoba's second-largest city.
Following heavy rainfall in western Manitoba that has caused extensive flooding, the Assiniboine River level in Brandon is expected to rise by seven or eight feet — more than two metres — before a predicted peak on July 13, Mayor Jeff Fawcett said.
The water will likely stay near peak levels for a few days before gradually receding, he said.
The city declared a state of emergency on Saturday in anticipation of the river spilling its banks.
Super sandbags were being placed along First Street in Brandon on Tuesday night. (Michele McDougall/CBC)
Evacuation notices will be sent out to residents living in areas at risk of flooding near the river in the coming days, asking them to prepare in case they need to leave, the mayor said.
"Currently there is not an evacuation order, but the city continues to monitor conditions closely and is taking every possible measure to protect homes, residents and infrastructure," Fawcett said during a media briefing on Wednesday morning.
As a precaution, residents are being encouraged to prepare an emergency "go-bag" with essentials like identification, medications, clothing and chargers, he said.
Provincial crews started sandbagging efforts along First Street on Tuesday, with work expected to wrap up by the end of the week, Fawcett said. Sandbags will be placed on both sides of the street and one lane of traffic will be open in each direction.
Tiger Dams — large, tubular temporary flood barriers — will be used to enhance the dike, the mayor said. The city's dike system covers "almost every property," he said.
Crews placed super sandbags along First Street in Brandon on Wednesday ahead of flooding expected to hit the western Manitoba city in the coming days. (Michele McDougall/CBC)
Municipal officials are on top of the situation, Fawcett said, and he has a "high level of confidence" the city can manage the forecast flooding. Flood-protection infrastructure is in place and is continually being monitored, he said.
"One of the reasons we have that state of emergency in is if things have to happen fast … we will act on them," said Fawcett.
"We're controlling everything we can control, and it's the things that we can't that we're going to be ready to adapt to."
Looking out over the river Wednesday, Brandon resident Shelley Chuchmuch said she thinks advanced preparations will help keep the predicted flooding "very well under control."
"I don't fear these kinds of things, because nature has a way of working itself out, and the city has planned things very, very well," Chuchmuch said.
Thumbnail courtesy of Michele McDougall/CBC.
The story was originally written by Lauren Scott and published for CBC News. It contains files from Michele McDougall and Paul Pitura.