Strong north winds and high water levels on Lake Manitoba are forcing people from their Delta Beach homes and cottages.
The RM of Portage la Prairie has issued voluntary evacuations notices for 30 permanent residents of Delta Beach.
"It was time to move," said Larry Muirhead, who is an evacuee. "There's water coming in from the west side and from the east side and from the south side and the north is blowing like crazy, so I think it's time."
While Muirhead has decided to leave, others are choosing to stay and fight the flood waters.
"We've been sandbagging but our concern right now is that if we lose much more beach we'll be losing our deck," said Doug DePape, who is trying to protect his cottage property.
Alan Owens has lived in Delta Beach for the last eight years. He said he does not want to leave, especially now that things are getting worse.
"This is the start of our flood," said Owens. "We've got a real flood coming and stuff everybody else says it's over, but it's just starting here."
Some people were sandbagging all weekend and now feel it was all for nothing.
Laird Cole drove all the way from Calgary to protect his lake front cottage. He said a strong north wind has pushed water from Lake Manitoba up onto his property despite the sandbags. To make things worse, he said the waves are washing his dike out into the lake.
"The lake level is so high all it takes is one good wind from the north and you can easily wipe out the entire ridge," said Cole on Saturday.
Provincial officials said super sandbags are being used to maintain road access in the area. Cottagers have been advised by officials to put flood protection in place and move all belongings to a safe, dry place. About 100 members of the Canadian Military are now helping protect homes in the area, said officials.
Flood forecasters released updated lake levels on Monday and Lake Manitoba has risen to more than 815 feet.
Accoding to a press release from Delta Beach locals, the community is feeling that rise. The release said that vital road access has been lost due to the north wind and rising water. One area has been flooded with 3 to 6 inches of water.
"We're dealing with lake levels that haven't been seen since the early 50s," said permanent resident Don Clarkson on Saturday. "This isn't something that's common out here."
Local officials say access to the eastern part of the community is limited because of water on roads, but no homes have been flooded.
Officials from the Manitoba Government say the provincial state of emergency has been extended to June 5.
Currently 3,297 Manitobans have been forced from their homes, said provincial officials.
Provincial officials are expected to make an announcement about compensation packages for people affected by flooding.
- with a report from CTV's Caroline Barghout
