As part of a plan to improve flood prevention measures south of Winnipeg, the RM of Ritchot and Town of Niverville are receiving approximately $95,500 worth of new equipment. In total, about $2 million is being dispersed amongst the 13 municipalities that make up the Winnipeg Metropolitan Region.

The municipalities will be provided with instructions about how to procure items and receive provincial reimbursement. They will also be encouraged to make the new equipment available to neighbouring municipalities when needed to improve regional preparedness and resiliency.

The Town of Niverville will be acquiring a PTO-driven pump and hose, barricades and signage, a sandbag machine and sandbags, and equipment for an emergency operations centre, all of which will be eligible for $57,200 in funding.

Ritchot will receive water rescue equipment, a Zodiac and motor, and equipment for an emergency operations centre, to be covered by $38,349.94 in funding.

In the province’s most recent flood outlook report, released on February 27, the risk of major spring flooding along the Red River basin was pegged at moderate to high.

“Due to the above normal to record high soil moisture at freeze-up in southern and parts of central Manitoba and normal to above normal winter precipitation to the end of February in most parts of the U.S. portion of the Red River basin, the Red River valley is at a higher risk of major flooding,” the report says. “Generally, the risk of major spring flooding is moderate to high for southern and southeastern Manitoba, including the Roseau River and the Pembina River. However, this could change depending on weather conditions between now and the spring melt.”

The risk of flooding along the Assiniboine River remains low.