Manitoba community declares state of local emergency due to flooding

A Manitoba community declared a state of local emergency on Thursday morning over concerns of flooding and the potential for evacuations.

A Manitoba community declared a state of local emergency on Thursday morning over concerns of flooding and the potential for evacuations.

In a news release, the RM of Montcalm said the state of local emergency will remain in effect until May 28, 2022.

It noted there are 16 homes along Saint Mary’s Road that may need to be evacuated. The potential evacuees have been notified of the situation and accommodations are being arranged.

Marc Sawadsky, whose home is among the 16 on an evacuation alert, is preparing with the expectation the road in front of his house will soon be washed out as the flooded Red River creeps up behind.

"I think we’ll probably lose access in a couple days here. It is what it is," he said.

Paul Gilmore, the reeve for the RM of Montcalm, said the main concern for these residents is that they will have no way to exit their properties.

"We want to ensure that our residents are safe and secure," Gilmore said.