Weekend rain closes highways, washes out roads, and impacts waterways in southern Manitoba

Volunteers sandbag to protect properties in Virden.

Heavy rain and high winds are having a significant impact in many communities and municipalities across southern Manitoba.

According to the province, two dozen municipalities have declared a state of local emergency, and many roads are affected by overland flooding or may be impassable.

Municipalities who have declared local states of emergency include:

Archie, Arthur, Brandon (city), Cameron, Coldwell, Cornwallis, Daly, Deloraine (town), Edward, Elkhorn (village), Hartney (town), Grahamdale, Miniota, Oak Lake (town), Pipestone, Roblin (town), Sifton, Siglunes, Strathclair, Virden, Wallace, Westbourne, Whitewater and Winchester.

Highway closures include:

* PR 349 for 15 kilometres west of PT 250.

* PR 256 from PR 255 to PTH 2.

* PTH 2 from the Saskatchewan border to PR 256.

* PR 542 from the Trans-Canada Highway to PR 257.

* PR 255 from the Saskatchewan border to PR 256.

* PR 467 from PTH 41 to PTH 83.

* PR 256 from PR 41 to the Trans-Canada Highway.

* PR 568 from 11.6 km west of PTH 83 for two km.

* PTH 83 from the Trans-Canada Highway to PTH 2.

* PR 568 from PTH 42 to PTH 83 with access for local traffic only.

* PTH 256 from the Trans-Canada Highway to PR 255, with access for local traffic only,

* PR 468 from the Trans-Canada Highway to PR 353 ,  with access for local traffic only.

* the Trans-Canada Highway west of Brandon has water over the road and may be closed if it continues to rise.

The province advises people travelling to call 511 or visit www.mb511.ca online.

Warnings and watches:

A high water advisory has been issued for all rivers and streams in the Parkland region.  The province says it will deploy flood mitigation equipment, such as Tiger Tubes to areas that may be most affected by flooding.

Environment Canada has issued a gale wind warning for the north and south basins of Lake Winnipeg and a strong wind warning for Lake Manitoba, Lake Winnipegosis and Lake of the Woods.   Wind gusts of up to 65 km/hr are expected in some areas.

There is still a rainfall warning in effect for much of western Manitoba.