‘Cautious optimism’ in Brandon as river crests

Water levels on the Assiniboine River, which have threatened Manitoba’s second-largest city over the past week, crested overnight, Brandon officials said Monday.

The river reached 1,179.46 feet, “indicating the river level has stabilized and reached its peak,” the city’s website stated.

The level had been 1,179.23 feet Sunday morning after rising 1.63 feet from Saturday. Officials had expected it to climb by as much as another foot before cresting. Overall, the river rose by about 7.5 feet in the past week.

Despite the crest, residents are still being urged to stay prepared as conditions could change.

“River levels are expected to remain high for the next several days before a slow decline begins,” the city said. “Please be aware the flood forecast could change if significant rainfall is received locally or elsewhere within the Shellmouth Reservoir or Assiniboine River basin.”

The city called a state of emergency on July 4, which means crews can take action quickly if the situation changes.

Brandon Mayor Jeff Fawcett told the Free Press on Monday there is “cautious optimism” as crews continue monitoring dikes and other flood protection infrastructure while reinforcing public safety messaging around the river.

“If we receive significant rainfall locally or within the Shellmouth or Assiniboine basins, the flood forecast could change again,” he said at a news briefing, adding that early notification of the rising water allowed the city to properly prepare and reinforce weak points.

The city has spent the last week adding to the dike system, as well as installing large sandbags and pumps.

The river rose after extensive rain left several communities flooded in Manitoba’s Parkland Region.

Water has receded in hard-hit communities, including Swan River, but cleanup and rebuilding efforts are still underway.

Environment and Climate Change Canada forecast a high of 35 C in Brandon on Monday, with the humidex making it feel like 44 C. There was a risk of thunderstorms Monday evening.

As a precaution, evacuation notices have been issued to as many as 5,000 residents, with the mayor previously urging those affected to have a “go bag” ready should they need to leave on short notice.

As of Monday morning, no evacuations had been ordered.

No major infrastructure or property damage was reported, Fawcett said, though Grand Valley Road and the Brandon Youth Soccer Association and Dinsdale parks were fully submerged.

“We’re really grateful for all the work that’s gone on over the years that have helped make this a more manageable situation,” Fawcett said. “Of course, I also want to thank the weather for working out.”

Meanwhile, the city’s community housing and wellness co-ordinator said there has been more concern over the recent heatwave than there has been about ensuring people who live on the streets are safe from flooding.

Shannon Saltarelli told the Free Press Monday that they’ve had several days to reach out to homeless people, ensuring they’ve moved from areas near the banks of the Assiniboine to safer spaces.

“We do often have encampments near the river just because they’re a little more tucked out of sight or in more treed, shaded areas,” Saltarelli said. “Prior to the flood happening, myself and our team here were out looking for encampments, going to some of our known locations.

“But that heat was excessive, especially (on Sunday). That is more of a concern — with everybody.”

Saltarelli, who is also part of the city’s emergency response team and is the director of emergency social services, said the city does its own encampment outreach. At any given time, there are 250 to 300 people living unsheltered.

She said there was at least one encampment they knew would flood, and so they helped the person living there move their things and get to a safer location.

“There were also a few more abandoned encampments that we got cleaned up so that people didn’t move into those places that were at risk,” she said.

— with files from The Canadian Press, Brandon Sun

scott.billeck@freepress.mb.ca