Manitoba bolsters dikes as Souris flood nears

Authorities in towns in southwestern Manitoba are preparing for the worst as flooding from the rain-swollen Souris River approaches.

After inundating Minot, N.D., to the south, the floodwaters are now moving toward towns including Souris and Melita. Experts have said the crest is expected betweenTuesday and Thursday.

InSouris, city officialsare asking for help in a massive sandbagging effort to shore up dikes.

Truckloads of volunteers have already arrived from northern Manitoba but more are needed, Mayor Darryl Jackson said Friday.

'The bottom end of town might be washed out for a few months.' Bob Walker, mayor of Melita

Hundreds of sandbags will have to be positioned along a berm to hold off the Souris River, which is expected to crest in the next few days.

"It's definitely surreal," said Jackson, one of 190 people who have been forced out of their homes in the town. "As far as how difficult it is, it's a bit like living out of a suitcase when you go on a holiday. We are certainly putting up with it."

Jackson is asking volunteers to assemble at the town's fire hall as the community girds for the worst.

Highway 3 east of Melita has been closed,and Mayor Bob Walker said Friday the ring dike around the town has been closed, partially shutting off access for emergency vehicles.

However, contingency plans are in place in case emergency vehicles have to get through, Walker said.

"Our own ambulance service wasn't going to be able to operate today because of a shortage of staff," the mayor said. "But the ARHA [Assiniboine Regional Health Authority] was bringing in people from elsewhere to man the ambulance."

Walker said he will spend CanadaDay fielding calls from exhausted residents, and he fears the worst for thetown's business district.

"It'spossible with the length of time the water is expected to be here and the height of our business section, the bottom end of town might be washed out for a few months," he said.

Of special concern are the threedikes protecting the sewage lift station. If they are breached, the town will have to be evacuated.