Highway 75 in Morris as shown in this 2011 file photo. (STAN MILOSEVIC / CHRISD.CA)
Manitoba flood officials provided a more in-depth look at their preparations as river and lake levels rise across the province.
The Emerson border crossing on Highway 75 could be closed in the coming weeks as the Red River crests in southern Manitoba, along with the crossing at Gretna. Interstate 29 south in North Dakota could also be under water indefinitely, as well as the border crossing at Pembina, ND.
In 2009, Highway 75 was closed for 36 days. With Thursday’s updated flood outlook now predicting levels could be higher than in that year, officials say it’s almost a certainty the main highway into the U.S. could be closed for a longer period.
Partial closures of community ring dikes are expected in 18 towns within the Red River Valley south of Winnipeg, including Emerson, Gretna, Letellier, Rosenfeld, Dominion City, St. Jean Baptiste, Riverside, Rosenort, St. Pierre-Jolys, Aubigny, Morris, Roseau River, Lowe Farm, Ste. Agathe, Brunkild, St. Adolphe, Niverville and Grande Pointe.
The province also has more than 1,800 outlying homes, businesses and farms in the valley in its sights if they need to quickly be evacuated. In 2009, about 250 homes and farms in the Red River Valley were evacuated.
