Residents across the Prairies are bracing for the possibility of flooding rivers as the snow melts rapidly in rising temperatures.
Manitoba is forecasting some flooding along the Red River and other tributaries to the west as temperatures are expected to skyrocket from just above freezing to the high teens.
As water levels are expected to rise, Winnipeg city officials are testing out a new form of flood protection called the Rapid Installation Barrier System (RIBS). The system is comprised of large sandbags that can be filled quickly with a small loader.
Scott Payne, Winnipeg’s flood coordinator, said the city will be monitoring the system in the coming days.
“We are considering using some other products, some cages,” he told CTV News.
Manitoba officials were counting on a snow melt to control this year’s flood, given that the cool weather has helped keep the flood waters at bay.
But now, there is also concern about a rain forecast, which could increase the risk of overland flooding.
Meanwhile, cities and towns along the Red River are preparing for a flood that could impact highways and farmers’ fields.
Across the border in the city of Fargo, N.D., crews are hauling truck beds filled with sandbags into flood-prone neighbourhoods. Despite the work underway to protect the city, the National Weather Service has in recent days downgraded the crest to more manageable flood levels.
Fargo officials says they want to be prepared should the situation change.
Also in Fargo, homes situated along the Red River are being demolished to make way for permanent dikes.
In Saskatchewan, the capital city of Regina is also planning for possible spring flooding.
Jay O’Connor, Regina’s director of emergency management, said the city is working on an evacuation plan, just in case.
“We really don’t feel we’ll need them,” he said. “It’s a very low probability for this year’s anticipated flows, but we are doing our due diligence.”
In Saskatchewan, Highway 2 south of Moose Jaw was covered with water on Friday, forcing motorists slow down and proceed with caution.
Meanwhile, Alberta’s environment department issued a flood watch advisory Friday for the Athabasca River in Fort McMurray, warning of increased risk and urging residents to watch for changing conditions and ice jams.
The flooding is expected after an intense winter season in which several storms battered the Prairies and the Northern plains.
With files from CTV’s Jill Macyshon and with files from The Canadian Press
