Water level holds steady

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This article was published 11/05/2011 (5489 days ago), so information in it may no longer be current.

Yet another of nature’s unrelenting forces continues to play as important factor in how Brandon’s dike system holds this week.

While the level of the Assiniboine River held steady Tuesday at between 1,182.8 feet and 1,182.9 feet, Brandon emergency services co-ordinator Brian Kayes said the challenge for the rest of the week could be a driving wind.

"We had a northeast wind on Easter weekend and it pounded parts of the dike really well," Kayes said during yesterday’s late afternoon media conference. "We’ve reinforced those areas and so, in a way, it sort of gave us notice of what areas would be subject to erosion from that direction."

As for the rain, forecasters are anticipating a further 20 millimeters between Thursday and Saturday. However, preliminary results of provincial modelling indicate the additional rain will not significantly affect the peak in Brandon.

Provincial officials now say that Brandon’s flooding event is considered a one-in-300-year flood in Brandon, surpassing the 1882 flood.

"This is a significant high water event," Kayes said. "We have not seen levels like this before since Brandon was here."

There has been no word on when Brandon could finally see the crest of the Assiniboine River, other than the fact that flows are estimated to be "near crest."

Until then, Mayor Shari Decter Hirst pledged that work to strengthen dikes wherever necessary will continue at "urgent pace."

"We’re on top of it," she said. "Everything’s good."

As of Tuesday evening, there were no plans to enact an evacuation order for areas north of the Assiniboine River, leaving the complete evacuation tally at 1,174 people and a total of 476 households.

Gas service to 365 homes in the evacuated area have also been shut off because, if flooded, the underground pipes might shift. Service will be turned on again when it’s safe to do so.

Approximately 225 hotel rooms have been accessed by evacuees, while all others have chosen to stay with friends or family.

In the event of a large-scale evacuation later this week, congregate housing will be set up at either the Keystone Centre or at Brandon University.

As the week continues, controlled access to the evacuated areas is being allowed by police from the hours of 10 a.m. and 7:30 p.m., but only for affected residents and businesses to check on sump pump systems or retrieve medical supplies that may have been left behind.

Affected evacuees must call the city inquiry line at 729-2186 to register and obtain instructions, times and entry points.

Police patrols are providing security to the evacuated neighbourhoods and dedicated security personnel are manning barricades.

As of yesterday afternoon, no crime in the evacuated area had been reported to police.