Red River to crest in Emerson over Easter weekend

The Red River is predicted to crest in Emerson over Easterweekend and amphibex machines are on stand-by if ice needs breaking up in the city.

With warmer weather and 15 millimetres of rain expected over Easter weekend, the crest is expected to reach Emerson Friday or Saturday, flowing at a rate of approximately 35,000 cubic feet per second (cfs).

Yesterday the province blamed the unseasonably cold weather forfloodrisks facingthe city.

• Cold spring increasing the risk of flooding in Winnipeg

• Portage Diversion operating amid rising Assiniboine River levels

• Manitoba issues high water advisory for Assiniboine River

Depending on the amount of rain over the weekend, the crest is expected to hit Winnipeg with a flow rate of roughly 40,000 cfs four to five days after it has reached Emerson.

Ice cover remains intact in many parts of the stretch of the Red River between Emerson andWinnipeg.

With potential ice jams looming, high water advisories are still in effect for the Whitemud River region between Steel Bridge and Lake Manitoba, as well as for the Assiniboine River from Griswold to Portage la Prairie.

Three amphibexes are in Selkirk but are poised to be moved to Winnipeg, if needed. The province said they "may stage equipment at strategic locations in the city and has identified several potential launch sites for the Amphibexes to ensure a rapid response if the threat of ice jams increases."

The province will also make Hesco barriers and sandbag-makingmachines available to the city, if required

Sandbags have been delivered to properties in low-lying and at-risk areas around the city.