A state of emergency was declared in Riverton after an ice jam led to high water levels.
The community in the northeast Interlake was battling an ice jam on the Icelandic River Monday night.
Officials said backhoes were used on ice that had pushed against bridges. An Amphibex was also sent into the river to help break up the ice jam. Around 11 a.m. Tuesday, the ice jam was cleared. The state of emergency, however, remains in place and overland flooding is still a concern, said town officials.
Schools in Riverton were closed and residents put on evacuation notice. Travel in the area is restricted to emergency personnel and volunteers.
About 1,500 sandbags were also set up.
Town officials said no homes were flooded, but there was some seepage in basements. The focus is now on clearing culverts and dikes that had been damaged by ice.
A pedestrian bridge was also damaged by the ice jam. Riverton's mayor, Colin Bjarnson, said plans are in the works to repair the damage.
Peguis First Nation declared a state of emergency with flood waters threatening that community. More than 100 people were forced to leave their homes after they became inaccessible. An Amphibex has been dispatched to the area to try and clear ice jams at bridges in the area.
The RM of Bifrost also declared a state of emergency Monday due to overland flooding, road washouts and ice jams on the Icelandic River.
More flood information is available online on the province's website at:
http://www.gov.mb.ca/flooding/index.html
- with a report from CTV's Caroline Barghout
