Emergency Response

April 15, 2006

Spring runoff has swollen several rivers in parts of Manitoba and Saskatchewan leaving residents to cope with major flooding over the Easter long weekend. At the time of posting this report, however, and according to provincial government officials, the floodwaters are apparently much lower than they were during the devastating spring floods of 1997. Unless water levels rise even higher, the damage is expected to be considerably less.

Officials in southern Manitoba report that, so far the Red River has been cresting about 30 centimetres lower than expected and community officials, including those of Winnipeg, are confident they can manage water levels. Manitoba Premier Gary Doer has said the province has spent close to $200 million since the 1997 flood building spillways, dikes and expanding the floodway around the city of Winnipeg.

Still, in southern Manitoba, the Red River is 15 kilometres wide in some places and covers 40,000 hectares of farmland between the towns of Emerson and Morris, according to the CBC website (April 15, 2006). Wide swathes of farmland along the river were under water on Good Friday, raising concerns that many farm families may have to evacuate and face extensive damage to property and livelihoods. Reportedly many roads in the region have been washed out. In northeastern Saskatchewan, the Red Earth First Nation scrambled to avoid the threatening Carrot River as leaders ordered a general evacuation of the band of 1,100.

According to Manitoba weather forecasters, a major weather system is developing in the region and could bring heavy rains to southern Manitoba on Monday or Tuesday, raising concerns that water levels may yet rise higher.

The General Council Office has contacted the Manitoba and Northwest Ontario and Saskatchewan Conference offices to express concern and offer support, and is prepared to respond to their needs as they are made known to us. In addition to this website posting, we are planning to e-mail an information letter to United Church congregations across Canada in time for Easter Sunday services. For now we ask that, as we prepare to celebrate Easter and the risen Christ, we remember and pray for our brothers and sisters in Saskatchewan and Manitoba who have been affected by the flooding, especially farm families who are likely to be affected the most.

What United Church Members Can Do To Help

Pray

From the General Council Office, our thoughts and prayers go out to our sisters and brothers in Saskatchewan and Manitoba who have been affected by the spring flooding. United Church members across Canada are urged also to pray for the people in communities and rural areas throughout the region who may have suffered injury or displacement and lost property or livelihoods.

Stay Informed

United Church members concerned to stay informed of the crisis can monitor national, regional and local print and broadcast media. Early in the week of April 16 the General Council Office will endeavour to post more and up-to-date information about the flooding and its effects on this website.

Donations

The General Council Office is not yet in a position to say what the extent of the damage is or whether conference offices in the region will request financial support. Even without this information, some United Church members may wish to make a donation. To donate, cheques can be sent to the United Church. They should be made payable to The United Church of Canada and marked "Manitoba and Saskatchewan flood relief." They will be regarded as supragifts and will be transferred to organizations aiding those affected by the flooding.

Mailing Address

For more information please contact:

Gary Kenny
Emergency Response Coordinator
Justice, Global & Ecumenical Relations Unit
Tel: 416-231-7680 ext. 4051
E-mail: Gary Kenny

Omega Bula
Executive Minister
Justice, Global & Ecumenical Relations Unit
Tel: 416-231-7680 ext. 4037
E-mail: Omega Bula