WINNIPEG -- The Rural Municipality of Montcalm declared a state of local emergency on April 9 due to flood conditions.
According to a statement from the R.M., this move was authorized under the province’s Emergency Measures Act.
“Our main concern is the safety of our residents,” said Paul Gilmore, Reeve of the R.M. of Montcalm.
“[We] definitely don’t want them to be trapped with water going around their place.”
Gilmore said a total of eight households were evacuated. Evacuees were put into hotels and motels in Winnipeg and Altona.
In an effort to save the road from washing out, the R.M. decided to cut out two sections.
“On this side (of road 246) is the Red River, and on this side is the Roseau River,” said Paul Sabourin, a councillor in the R.M. of Montcalm.
“So the whole idea behind this is to keep the water levels on both sides of the roads, so it doesn’t wash through.”
This isn’t the first time the R.M. of Montcalm has experienced flooding along road 246.
In the spring of 2019 – the same section of 246 was washed away by floodwaters, leaving massive holes in the road and stranding several residents in the area.
“Your co-operation with emergency response personnel will greatly assist in recovering from this emergency,” read a statement from the R.M., noting these personnel will do their jobs as required.
The R.M. said the state of local emergency has been put into place so impacted households along St. Mary’s Road and PR 246 can be evacuated, and so the R.M. can take the necessary actions to mitigate property damage.
“Our Public Works department is working tirelessly to ensure the safety of our residents and reduce damages to property,” the statement went on to say.
Residents of Montcalm are asked to obey all laws, regulations and orders throughout the duration of the state of local emergency.
