The Manitoba government declared a state of emergency Friday as the province faces flooding following intense rainstorms in recent weeks.

Provincial officials said the crest, which could start hitting Manitoba on Saturday, may top levels from the 2011 flood.

The state of emergency was declared at noon Friday. At 6 p.m., the province offered another flood update, saying a controlled dike breach was being planned in an area southeast of Portage la Prairie.

"We've seen the water move more rapidly than anticipated, at higher levels," Selinger said. "Preparations are underway for a controlled breach at the Hoop and Holler Bend to reduce the high possibility of an uncontrolled breach."

Selinger ordered the same measure in 2011, deliberately flooding the same 225 square kilometres and threatening 150 homes to save hundreds more downstream. Work preparing the cut is expected to begin Saturday with a deliberate breach coming as early as Monday.

Military called in to help

Selinger said emergency measure officials and infrastructure staff in the flood zone have been working around the clock to manage the rising water, but it's a job too big to deal with on Manitoba's own, leading to declaring a state of emergency.

“We are now requesting military assistance from the federal government. These are measures that will allow our officials to the take the necessary actions to protect the safety, health and welfare of Manitobans,” said Selinger.

People living along the Assiniboine River have been told the water level could swell half a metre above where it was three years ago. The 2011 flood was one of Manitoba's worst.

Connery's Riverdale Farms near Portage la Prairie were hit hard by the 2011 flood.

They say they need to plan for what's ahead but continue their daily farming operations.

Beth Connery, owner/operator at Connery's Riverdale Farms, said they've been taking irrigation pumps out of the water so they don't get washed away and they may have to turn hydro off to some of the pumps.

“We have a farm to run so we have to do our daily work get everything done that needs to be done, so that's our focus right now - (it's) to just keep going,” said Connery.

Brandon braces for rising water

In Brandon, the city revised its flood forecast. The Assiniboine River crest was initially expected to hit the city late next week but on Friday officials said it would possibly peak in Brandon on Saturday, July 5.

Brian Kayes, the city's emergency co-ordinator, said the city expects it will be protected by its permanent dikes but people living north and south of the Assiniboine River will receive pre-evacuation notices. They will only be evacuated if a dike is breached or if the city receives torrential rain that overcomes the sewer system, he said.

The province said a second crest may hit Brandon around July 17.

Tilston family hit hard by flash flood

Near Tilston in southwestern Manitoba, Vicki Murray and other relatives tried to save her mom Sandy Jones' home from a flash flood, but said they lost everything except for a few clothes and a dresser.

Relatives are devastated and said they feel the provincial and federal governments don't care about them and others in southwestern Manitoba.

Hoop and Holler Bend resident reacts

Henry Dyck manages a tree nursery on the flood side of the Hoop and Holler Bend.

He said when the province closed it back up in 2011, he thought it would never open it again.

Dyck said in 2011, the water just pooled around his nursery and drowned a bunch of the tree crops there.

He's worried this year it will only get worse.

- With reports from Cheryl Holmes, Sheila North Wilson and files from The Canadian Press