More Manitobans worked to protect their homes from flood waters on Saturday as rain and snow came down on southern Manitoba.
Volunteer fire fighters in Headingley assembled tiger tubes dikes to protect 10 homes threatened by the Assiniboine River.
"The level that it's going to come up to is going to encroach on these homes," said Doug Hansen of the Headingley Fire Department.
Patty Blackmore had to sandbag around her home for the first time in ten years living there.
"We've been tracking this," said Blackmore. "We've kind of prepared for this."
Prepared but still concerned, said Blackmore's nephew, Jack Bell.
"Now I guess there's a major concern that it's going to come up another three to four feet for sure," said Bell.
Flood forecasters are watching the storm system as it moves through the province. Officials say the rain and snow will increase water levels and prolong the flood. Forecasters say the additional precipitation will not impact crest predictions on the Red and Assiniboine rivers, but will change crest dates.
"It's been a long time since we've seen this much water in this many communities around Manitoba," said Premier Greg Selinger.
Strong winds are also causing worry in southern Manitoba. Officials are advising homeowners to reinforce dikes against waves and wind.
The province says dikes are being monitored 24 hours a day making sure high water levels and waves do not cause any breaches.
Almost 2,000 people have been evacuated from their homes and more than 700 roads have been closed, said officials.
Saturday marks day 26 of the flood fight in Manitoba. Forecasters say the Red and Assiniboine are expected to crest in Winnipeg on May 3.
- with a report from CTV's Caroline Barghout
