Spring flooding unlikely in Brandon, city says

So far, it appears the City of Brandon will be spared from flooding this spring, much to the relief of the city's business community.

"We're waiting to see what the weather does. In terms of potential flooding situation within the city itself, I'd say at this point that is not very likely," said Brian Kayes, the city's emergency coordinator.

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Kayes said precipitation levels have been near normal to slightly below normal for this time of year, but cautions that things can change quickly.

"On a general sense, if things carry on as they are... I don't think there will be any great concern," he said.

However, even though there isn't much concern right now, Kayes said discussions on the melt are taking place daily within the city and every second day with the province.

Also on the city's side this year, city dikes were raised upwards of two metres in some cases after flooding in 2011.

Flood fears that year forced businesses near the river and flood plain to close their doors and residents to evacuate.

Relief for business community

The president of Brandon's Chamber of Commerce says news of a potentially quiet year is welcome after high water events in both 2011 and 2014.

"A nice dry year is great for the Brandon business community and the agriculture community that surrounds us," Jordan Ludwig told CBC News on Monday.

Ludwig said high water years were difficult on the entire business community. Some moved locations temporarily during particularly bad years and others closed up altogether.

"I'm really quite happy to see that we won't have to do any of that this year," he said.

But while the forecast is in Brandon's favour right now, Kayes isn't ready to make any promises just yet.

"It all depends on what the weather does, he said. "Right now we aren't overly alarmed."

"In 2011, we were doing flood prep work in December 2010. We have nothing like that, conditions nothing like that this year," Kayes said.