'The crest could be within 24 hours,' says Brandon mayor as city continues flood preparations

Brandon's mayor says the Assiniboine River could reach peak water levels within a day, as Manitoba's second-largest city continues to prepare for expected flooding.

'The crest could be within 24 hours,' says Brandon mayor as city continues flood preparations Mayor Jeff Fawcett says western Manitoba city is well-prepared ahead of Assiniboine River's predicted peak Brandon's mayor says the Assiniboine River could reach peak water levels within a day, as Manitoba's second-largest city continues to prepare for flooding. , The river has been left swollen after heavy rainfall caused devastating flooding in the Parkland region, located north of Brandon. Floodwaters are funnelling into the Assiniboine, which has raised by about eight feet — nearly 2.5 metres — in recent days, Mayor Jeff Fawcett said.

"The crest could be within 24 hours," the mayor told CBC News while overlooking floodwaters outside the Riverbank Discovery Centre on Sunday. And the river continues to rise. It's predicted to peak around Monday, city officials said in a flood update on Sunday.

The mayor said it could rise by about another foot and remain at that level for a while. Brandon declares state of emergency as overflowing Assiniboine River forecast to continue to rise Minnedosa, Brandon brace for downstream effects of western Manitoba floodwater Brandon, located in a valley about 200 kilometres west of Winnipeg, declared a state of emergency on July 4 ahead of the incoming flooding threat. Since then, flood forecasts from the province have been accurate and "things have gone as planned," Fawcett said.

The dike system is being monitored and some main roads have been lined with sandbags. "Everything looks good right now," he said. "We have very good infrastructure in place, and it's monitored and maintained.

It gives us a viable chance to make it through these things." About 4,000 residents who live in areas near the river that are at risk of flooding have received evacuation notices warning them to prepare a go-bag with necessities in case they need to leave. An evacuation order has not been issued.

The city serves as a hub for much of western Manitoba. Fawcett said municipal officials are preparing and monitoring around the clock so that essential services, like the hospital, remain open for those that need it. "We're trying to do this for our whole region," he said.

They're also trying to avoid diverting resources to flood-ravaged communities in the Parkland area north of Brandon. "We want to make sure that we get through this, so that the province and others can continue to focus on our neighbours that have had some really serious situations," he said. "We're going to get through this," he said, crossing his fingers and stressing that some conditions are outside of their control.

With files from Karen Pauls