Communities, farmers in Manitoba's Red River Valley brace for crest and more rain

The province has issued an overland flood watch for southern and central parts of the province due to a series of precipitation systems expected to hit Manitoba this week, including one which already dumped approximately 20 millimetres of rain on Winnipeg Monday.

Just north of Ste. Agathe, Man., grain and hog producer Fred Fast pulled up in a boat on the east side of Highway 200 (St. Mary’s Road) to leave his yard.

His home is dry but his cropland has been flooded and so is the access road he normally uses to drive out and back into his yard.

And with more rain the forecast later this week, he’s worried the land may remain under water for some time to come.

“On the grain end of it, it’s just going to be so long before we get on the land,” Fast said. “For me, I’m boating into my house. It’s inconvenient. I chose where I was going to live and the house is high so it’s fine.”

The province has issued an overland flood watch for southern and central parts of the province due to a series of precipitation systems expected to hit Manitoba this week, including one which already dumped approximately 20 millimetres of rain on Winnipeg Monday.

According to R.M. of Ritchot Mayor Chris Ewen, 196 evacuation notices had been issued as of Tuesday with 80 homes evacuated. Many others, like Fast, are staying in their homes and using boats or vehicles to get in and out.

For Fast, it’s the impact on growers and producers that have him most worried.