From pandemic to flood: Manitoba communities trying to figure out how to sandbag, observe social distancing

Organizing arow of volunteers tossing sandbags into place to hold flood waters back may be more complicated this spring, with social distancing measures in place.

Manitoba could soon face some flood conditions, especially in the Red River Valley, where the U.S. National Weather Service's latest predictions call for "moderate to major flooding in the main stem Red River."

Whatever water comes from the south will arrive inManitoba as the province, like the rest of the country, isbuttoned-up to halt the spread of COVID-19.

The province of Manitoba is expected to release itsown flood forecast in the next few days. Its last report in February saidprecipitation had been below normal in Manitoba, but normal to above normal in most parts of the U.S.

If the melt remains slow and steady and southern Manitoba doesn't get significant rain or snow,the risk of flooding is low. A big storm with lots of moisture could mean ahigh risk of major flooding from the U.S. borderto Red River Floodway,possibly similar to 2009thethird-worstManitoba floodin 100 years or the2011flood, which shut down Highway 75 for a month.

Last year, Manitoba experienced a relatively mild flood season.

Regardless of weather, there are some communities that willget at least some spring flood conditions.

"I guess we are expecting some water at this point in time it's really hard to tell," saidDebbie Fiebelkorn, the mayor of the rural municipality of St. Clements.

Sandbagging properties while keeping to provincialhealth guidelines that restrict large gatherings may involve protective masks and clothes, or suspending the rules for a brief period.

"If you are sandbagging,you may not be able to do this social distancing," Fiebelkornsaid.

"But we do have to try and ensure that we can do the best we can for our residents and ourselves."

A similar reactioncomes from Reeve Paul Gilmore in the RM ofMontcalm. Flood fighting means close quarters.

"You know,I think it's impossible. How can you do it?And you have to protect properties and people ontwo fronts. Pretty difficult," Gilmore said.

Gilmore says they did have flooding in parts of the municipality last year, and had to move approximately 12families out of their homes.

The possibility of needingto evacuate communities during a pandemicis an added layer of concern.

"With the virus, it gets complicated. Those people will be mobile and in hotels, and restaurants are closed. It could be quite an issue."

Even Manitoba Premier Brian Pallisterisn't sure how to form asandbag line in a pandemic.

"I've asked those exact questions and we're anticipating some response,"Pallister earlier this week.

"I've done lots of sandbagging in my life and it's just impossible to do sandbagging and physical distancing at the same time."

During a conference call Thursday to announce an extra $5 million in the province's flood protection program, Infrastructure Minister Ron Schuler promised a protocol was coming for evacuees, sandbagging and other flood fighting.

"We will be putting protocols in place how to appropriately sandbag, and do so in a proper environment,considering the kind of environment in which we're in right now with COVID-19," Schuler said.

There are indications this year'sflood season may not be too severe,as long as the weather co-operates.

Most local officials and politiciansalong the Red River keep a close eye on the weather, knowing it may take a turn for the worse quickly.

"I always say Mother Nature always has a way of throwing a wrench into things for us," Fiebelkornsaid.

"So if we get really warm temperatures and rain, it could have a huge effect on us."