Brandon precautionary evacuation

Well, when I said the Red had crested and no further evacuations were pending, I may have been slightly optimistic...

Then again, I wasn't really considering the Assiniboine. Army's been called in to sandbag between Portage La Praerie and Headingly, and in Brandon, mandatory evacuation has been called.

Monday, May 9, 2011 – For Immediate Release

MANDATORY PRECAUTIONARY EVACUATION PROCEEDINGS UNDERWAY

Brandon, MB –

Due to the unpredictability of the weather, the increased flows, and subsequent rising river levels, City Officials deem it in the best interests of the residents to implement a mandatory precautionary evacuation. Evacuation will begin in the area from 4th Street North to 26th Street North, from CP Train Tracks to the river, due to the level of risk of severe flooding. All residents are expected to vacate their properties by 8:00 pm, Monday, May 9, 2011.

Emergency personnel are assessing the threat and proactively evacuating residences and businesses in the most at risk areas. Further areas of the City may subsequently be evacuated in an orderly fashion with residents being notified. In the event of imminent danger the emergency alerting system (siren) will sound.

As of 7:00 am, members of the Brandon Police Service, and the Mayor & Councillors began conducting door-to-door notifications and provided Evacuation Notification Cards. Residents are encouraged to follow their established evacuation plans by going to stay with family, friends, or to the Reception Centre, which has been established in the Canada Room at the Keystone Centre, 1175 – 18th Street. All evacuees, regardless of where they are staying, are required to register. If you require the services of the Reception Centre, please register in person at the Reception Centre. If no services are required, registration can be done by calling the Red Cross at 1-888-662-3211.

If you have a family pet, you are asked to kennel your pet for registration at the PET Reception Centre, also in the Canada Room. Take only necessary items with you.

Residents can follow emergency information online at www.brandon.ca. Residents are asked to watch or listen to local media for updated information. Questions may also be directed to the Enquiry Centre at 729-2186.

For more information, please contact:
Name: Brian Kayes, Director of Emergency Management or
Monique Carriere, Emergency Manager
Ph: 729-2239