Advertisement

Assiniboine River set to crest in Brandon, Man.

Sandbaggers were out in Brandon Sunday morning as the city prepared for the crest of the Assiniboine River only a few feet below 2014 levels.

On Sunday, the province's flood forecasting centre moved up the timeline for the crest in Brandon slightly, saying it will happen today or tomorrow.

Brandon city crews began plugging the dike at Grand Valley Road at 18th Street North Saturday, and expect to finish later today.

The dike protects Grand Valley Road to the same level as all other areas along the city's dike system.

Aquadams have been placed along First Street North and crews will continue to monitor the area to ensure the road can be kept open to traffic.

No evacuations are planned. City officials are reminding people that the flood area is dangerous and should be avoided.

About 30 people turned up to lay 4,500 sandbags around a home on Rosser Ave. East. outside of the dike.

Greg Brown, director of volunteer co-ordination, said that while this is the third time this house has been sandbagged — 2011, 2014 and 2017 — community members didn't hesitate to help.

"People are community-minded; they want to come out and help a fellow resident."

Cpt. Brian Pettigrew from the 26th Field Regiment came out on his own to help. Pettigrew said he has been living in Brandon for five years, and has grown to be part of the community.

"A lot of good things have come just from the friends I've met. My motivation is really just to help out and give back to the community that's helped me," he said.

As for homeowner David Barnes, with the help of the sandbaggers he has "no fears" of the rising water.

"It's awesome Mother Nature at work here, and she's got a lesson for us," he said. "It's her way of replenishing. A flood is a gift, it's a gift to the garden, to the soil ... and I treat it that way. So I don't regret what comes."