Almost 130 people were forced from their homes on Peguis First Nation due to flooding, the province said in a news release. The First Nation started the evacuations after the Fisher River rose quickly Friday night.

The provincial government said about 50 homes are either damaged by flooding or have lost access due to flooding. About 25 homes are now protected by sandbags and water tube dikes.

"We have road access cut off to homes where people have medical issues and the elderly, and disability issues so we continue to monitor it on a regular basis," said Chief Glenn Hudson.

More than a dozen homes are now flooded and dozens more are being threatened.

“We were watching and monitoring the water and it came so fast we lost some houses,” said Dolores Stevenson, work supervisor at the flood centre on Peguis First Nation. “We couldn’t sand bag them fast enough.”

Stevenson said the water rose over a period of an hour, forcing more than two dozen families to evacuate in the middle of the night.

The Manitoba Association of Native Firefighters is co-ordinating the evacuation. Evacuees will stay at the Holiday Inn near Polo Park in Winnipeg for the time being, said Stevenson.

Residents rush to protect homes

With a lake lapping at his door, Harold Sutherland called in reinforcements to protect his home. The Peguis First Nation provided tube dikes and offered to put him in a hotel in Winnipeg, but Sutherland won't go.

"I gotta stay here and watch my house because the water goes under the house and comes up through the subfloor," he said. "I gotta keep the sump pump going steady. Gotta watch it."

Around 70 volunteers sandbagged on Saturday in an effort to protect 70 homes. The province sent around 100 Tiger Tube dams to assist with flood-fighting efforts.

"It's a team effort," said Ryan Sutherland. "We got about 20 to 30 people per crew and we have so many crews here. Lots of people helping out and working so hard."

For now, the flood centre remains dry, but the water continues to rise and puddles surround the centre. “It’s like we're on a little island,” said Stevenson.

Water levels lower

Flood coordinators said water levels went down a bit on Sunday. Volunteers continued to work to guard against a potential surge from an ice jam and improving road access has been another focus.

- With a report by Ben Miljure