The Manitoba government released an updated flood outlook on Tuesday, calling for similar flood levels the province saw in 2009.
March snowfall was 200% greater than normal amounts, putting the Red, Souris, Pembina, Assiniboine, Saskatchewan and Qu’Appelle rivers at risk for spring flooding potential.
“No one is pressing any panic buttons,” Emergency Measures Minister Steve Ashton said of the forecast, but did say residents will be evacuated in some affected areas.
The outlook comes one week after forecasters in the U.S. predicted an increased flood risk in North Dakota.
The province has seen between 50 and 75 centimetres of new snow over the past week, with many in flood-prone areas already preparing for the spring melt by filling sandbags and building dikes.
Pembina, North Dakota, as well as Fargo, are in store for what the National Weather Service is calling a major flood risk along the Red River.
Manitoba’s last flood outlook in late February predicted minor to moderate flooding in areas along the Red River.
The complete March flood outlook is available on the province’s website.
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