Manitoba community using drone technology to prepare for spring flooding
With the spring thaw in full effect, now is the time for flood prone communities to start preparing.
The RM of St. Andrews will be getting early warning of trouble this season as they’re using drone technology to get an advance look at developing problems.
One of the residents who will benefit from this technology is Mac Pulling, who was forced to evacuate after his street got a torrent of water back in 2015.
“I was sitting on my front deck and I watched it, the water going over,” he said. “And I said, ‘Oh, it’s time to go to town.’”
Pulling knew there was a good chance of flooding that year, but he didn’t know exactly when to expect it.
In the annual flood fight, officials say this is pretty common.
“In the last decade we wouldn’t be able to react till we were actually in a situation where we had an ice jam, and water was beginning to back up. So we were very reactive,” said Brent Olynyk, CAO of the RM of St. Andrews.
Today the RM is able to get an early warning thanks to drone technology.
Earlier this week, the RM conducted its first drone flight of the season to capture aerial footage of the ice conditions along the Red River. The idea is to monitor for any potential risk of ice jamming and watch how and where the ice is moving each day.
“[We are] able to warn ourselves and say get ready in the next 12 or 15 hours, we could be experiencing a problem,” Olynyk said.
Mayor Joy Sul said having 15 hours notice instead of 15 minutes is a huge advantage for people in the community.
“Residents can go on the website and see exactly what’s happening at that at that moment, how the water is moving, where the water is breaking up and if there is going to be a jam, where it’s going to be,” Sul said.
Pulling said he appreciates the early warning after years of sudden surprises.
CTVNews.ca Top Stories
Air Canada walks back new seat selection policy change after backlash
Air Canada has paused a new seat selection fee for travellers booked on the lowest fares just days after implementing it.
Province boots mayor and council in small northern Ont. town out of office
An ongoing municipal strike, court battles and revolt by half of council has prompted the province to oust the mayor and council in Black River-Matheson.
3 law officers serving warrant are killed, 5 wounded in shootout at North Carolina home, police say
Three officers on a U.S. Marshals Task Force serving a warrant for a felon wanted for possessing a firearm were killed and five other officers were wounded in a shootout Monday at a North Carolina home, police said.
'Shocked and concerned': Calgary principal charged with possession of child pornography
A Calgary elementary school principal has been charged with possession of child pornography, authorities announced Monday.
Health authority confirms cockroaches at B.C. hospital, insists they 'do not bite'
The Vancouver Island Health Authority is downplaying what staff describe as a cockroach infestation in a medical unit of Saanich Peninsula Hospital.
Toronto police arrest 12 people, lay 102 charges in major credit card fraud scheme
Toronto police say 12 people are facing a combined 102 charges in connection with an investigation into a major credit fraud scheme.
Winner of US$1.3 billion Powerball jackpot is an immigrant from Laos who has cancer
One of the winners of a historic US$1.3 billion Powerball jackpot last month is an immigrant from Laos who has had cancer for eight years and had his latest chemotherapy treatment last week.
Britney and Jamie Spears settlement avoids long, potentially ugly and revealing trial
Britney Spears and her father Jamie Spears will avoid what could have been a long, ugly and revealing trial with a settlement of the lingering issues in the court conservatorship that controlled her life and financial decisions for nearly 14 years.
WATCH 'Double whammy': What happens if you don't file your taxes by the deadline
The clock is ticking ahead of the deadline to file a 2023 income tax return. A personal finance expert explains why you should get them done -- even if you owe more than you can pay.