Basements of about three homes in Brandon have flooded after water backed up through a culvert, says an official with the province. Water has since stopped flowing after city crews sandbagged the culvert.
Hundreds of people living in Brandon were told to prepare for evacuations in case it became necessary to make people leave their homes, said officials on Friday.
City crews scrambled to reinforce dikes along the Assiniboine River after water levels suddenly spiked. Officials say more water is on its way.
"That leaves a lot of question marks," said Brian Kayes of the City of Brandon. "So that's why we're a little bit nervous I guess because we're not really sure what the forecasted peak is going to be."
Brandon officials say 900 homes and businesses could be affected and people should make plans to stay with family or friends in case of evacuations.
On Saturday, provincial crews worked to add a third layer of super sandbags to the dike along 18th Street and First Street. To keep the PTH 110 open, crews are setting up large flood-tube barriers along the highway. Crews in Brandon are also raising earth dikes within the city limits.
The provincial flood forecast for the Assiniboine has been adjusted because of inaccurate readings from a faulty gauge on the Qu'Appelle River in Saskatchewan. Now provincial officials say the Assiniboine River is approaching levels on par with historic floods in Brandon dating back more than 100 years.
The highest levels in the city this year are expected between May 12 and May 14.
On Thursday, water at the First Street Bridge exceeded a record-level set in 1923 at the location, said officials.
River levels throughout Brandon are now approaching those of historic floods in 1904 and 1882, said the province Friday.
Officials will widen the base of existing sandbag dikes to add more rows along 18th Street and 1st Street areas.
Peak water levels are expected between 1,182.5 feet and 1,183 feet, while upgraded dikes have been built to provide protection to 1,184 feet, said provincial officials.
