In a press release, the RM of Montcalm said that the state of emergency will remain in force until 28 May 2022. He noted that there are 16 houses along Saint Mary’s Road that may need to be evacuated. The potential displaced have been informed of the situation and accommodation is being arranged. Marc Sawadsky, whose home is among 16 on an evacuation alert, prepares in anticipation that the road in front of his house will soon be cleared as the flooded Red River crawls back. “I think we will probably lose access in a few days here. That is what it is,” he said. Paul Gilmore, the head of Montcalm’s RM, said the main concern for these residents was that they would have no way out of their properties. “We want to make sure our residents are safe,” Gilmore said. In St. Jean-Baptiste, the annular embankment is partially closed in the city center. In Morris’s RM, nine roads are blocked and it has declared a state of emergency. But all eyes are on Highway 75 in Morris, as local officials believe the road closure is inevitable to protect the city. “Certainly based on the weather forecast this weekend, I think it is a guarantee that it will close,” Ralph Groening, Reeve, told RM of Morris. Morris Mayor Scott Crick said he also assumes the road will be closed sometime between Friday and Monday. This may be a headache for truckers, but a new brief detour around part of Morris is in place. However, the trucking association is concerned that if flood levels reach 2011 levels, this bypass may not be tolerated, forcing truckers to last much longer. “That big cost for an average truck right now is, according to our math, between $ 250 and $ 300 per trip,” said Aaron Dolyniuk, executive director of the Manitoba Trucking Association. The closure of Highway 75 will also be felt by local traffic-based businesses. “The message we had for our citizens (is) let us all make an extra effort to try and make sure we support local businesses right now,” Crick said. Back in Montcalm’s RM, Sawadsky said he has enough food and supplies and is now hunting. “We will stay. “There is something romantic about camping on an island, if you will,” he said. Pumping works are in progress in some areas and the annular embankment in the approach of the old bridge in St. Jean Baptiste is closed. A sandbag refueling station is open in the RM of Montcalm’s store, located at the south end of St. Louis. Jean Baptiste. A complete list of closed roads in the community can be found online. The crews will continue to monitor the water level and provide updates on the situation. Montcalm residents are reminded not to travel on water-covered roads. Those who have flood damage to their homes should check their insurance coverage. If they do not have land flood insurance, they must complete a Disaster Relief Financial Assistance (DFA) application form. RM noted that the amount of rain it receives this weekend will have an impact on the situation.
