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Manitoba Requests Canadian Military Assistance for Peguis First Nation Flood Preparation
Manitoba has requested help from the Canadian military to prepare Peguis First Nation for a potential spring flood in the Fisher River area. The province advanced $1 million to the community and is coordinating sandbag deliveries and assessments by Team Rubicon. Discussions on permanent flood mitigation are underway with provincial and federal involvement.
Apr 9, 11:15 AM·2m read1 source
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Manitoba Premier Wab Kinew announced that the province has requested assistance from the Canadian military to aid Peguis First Nation in preparing for an expected spring flood. Peguis, Manitoba's largest First Nation community located about 160 kilometres north of Winnipeg, faces increased flood risk in the Fisher River basin.
The request follows a forecast from Manitoba's Hydrologic Forecast Centre indicating potential peak flows similar to those in 2014, when more than 100 residents evacuated.
The forecast centre cited a significantly above-normal snowpack, delayed melt, and spring precipitation as factors contributing to the elevated risk. If unfavourable conditions develop, flood levels could approach those of 2022, which prompted states of emergency and displaced over 1,000 people from Peguis, with some displaced for up to two years.
A recent snowfall in southern Manitoba on Wednesday exacerbated conditions in the Interlake region, where Peguis is situated.
The province has provided $1 million in advance funding to Peguis to support immediate mobilization of resources, including hiring for sandbag placement and acquiring necessary supplies.
Manitoba Transportation and Infrastructure has delivered about 200,000 sandbags to the community so far, with plans to reach one to two million. The funding ensures cash-flow issues do not delay preparations ahead of expected water rise next week. The province has also contacted Team Rubicon, a private-sector organization composed largely of military veterans, for on-the-ground assessment of flood mitigation needs.
Kinew stated that Team Rubicon is expected to arrive today for the evaluation. Fisher River Cree Nation, located about 20 kilometres northeast of Peguis along the Fisher River, has mobilized some resources and is not in a dire situation at this time.
