Flood concerns swell as heavy rainfall expected

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This article was published 26/07/2015 (3196 days ago), so information in it may no longer be current.

Manitoba’s flood forecasters say up to 100 millimetres of rain could fall in parts of southwestern Manitoba and Saskatchewan in the next few days – renewing flood concerns.

They say the big storm, starting later today, could cause overland flooding and raise river levels across much of the southwest.

In a news release late Monday afternoon, the province said the Shellmouth Dam in western Manitoba is currently at its summer target level, and the Qu’Appelle River has a slightly higher than normal flow for this time of year.

It also pointed out soils in the region are generally much drier than in 2014, when a similar heavy rain led to flooding.

But Manitoba Infrastructure and Transportation’s hydrologic forecast centre said flash or overland flooding could still occur in some areas.

“Communities in southwestern Manitoba are advised to take necessary precautions. Detailed impacts on tributaries and main stem rivers will be evaluated as a clearer picture of this active weather emerges,” the centre said.

The forecast centre did not say how much rain may be heading Winnipeg’s way.