State of emergency declared in community northeast of Winnipeg

[CHIMO]

Officials declared a state of emergency on Wednesday night in East St. Paul, a community northeast of Winnipeg, as falling temperatures caused massive ice jams that threatened to send the Red River spilling over its banks.

The municipality said ice jams in Lockport have caused water to rise above expected levels, and neighbourhoods of Highland Park and Whitby Harbour and homes along Henderson Highway are affected. As many as 100 homes are involved.

Officials expect to know in the next 12 hours what will happen to properties in these areas. Residents will be advised if they have to evacuate, Cindy Brown of the East St. Paul emergency operations committee said.

Brown said in a statement that public works crews are sandbagging vulnerable points.

http://www.cbc.ca/canada/manitoba/story/2009/03/25/mb-evacuation-andrews.html
Last Updated: Wednesday, March 25, 2009 | 8:59 PM CT