Fisaha Unduche, director of hydrologic forecasting and water management, Steve Topping with Manitoba Infrastructure and Transportation, and Premier Greg Selinger provide the province’s first flood outlook of the season on Monday, February 29, 2016. (CHRISD.CA)
WINNIPEG — With normal weather conditions, Manitoba isn’t looking at a risky flood season this year.
Officials on Monday said in their first flood outlook of the year that much of the province is at a relatively low risk for overland flooding.
The Red River sits at a minor risk, while the Assiniboine River is rated as being a moderate risk.
“Most of the major lakes are near normal levels for this time of the year and the risk for potential flooding is minor under normal weather conditions. Flows and levels in most rivers are near normal for this time of the year,” the outlook stated.
“This is one of the most favourable forecasts we’ve seen,” said Steve Topping, executive director of hydrologic forecasting and water management. “But things can turn bad with a really bad outlier storm.”
Ice on the Red River north of Selkirk is already being broken up to prevent ice jams.
The second outlook at the end of March will give a more in-depth look at overall flood potential.
VIDEO: Low Flood Risk for Much of #Manitoba https://t.co/GM5JDaPTPEhttps://t.co/3qi3kHf6yX
— ChrisD.ca News (@ChrisDca) February 29, 2016
