High winds cause damage in Manitoba municipality, state of emergency declared

The Rural Municipality of Ochre River in southern Manitoba witnessed high winds on May 10 that resulted in a major situation along the Ochre Beach Community that affected 27 structures, including seven permanent residences.

Major damage has occurred on Lakeview Drive with minor damage on Sombrero Drive and Beach Road, notes a statement from the municipality, prompting a local state of emergency to be declared for the affected area. Located between Riding Mountain National Park and Lake Dauphin, the municipality is about 26 km from Dauphin.

There were no injuries reported, but structural damage on one building caused power interruption to the area. Manitoba Hydro has since restored electricity to permanent residences.

RCMP, emergency service and local fire department representatives swept the area door to door. Access was restricted as of May 10 and security was to remain in place until all properties were secured.

Pointing out that melting ice could cause further shifting and damage, the municipality notes only affected property owners should enter the affected areas.

The municipality has requested disaster financial assistance (DFA) from the province for the affected area. A DFA team will be at the municipal office on May 14 at 11 am and all affected property owners have been asked to attend.

In its May 12 flood report, the provincial government cites the risk of shoreline ice pile-up on windward shores – based on forecasted wind speed and direction, as well as the best available information on ice conditions – exists on a number of lakes throughout the province, including Dauphin Lake (south wind).

Wall of ice on Manitoba lake demolishes summer homes as residents flee bit.ly/13p2dXS twitter.com/MacleansMag/st…

— Maclean’s Magazine (@MacleansMag) May 11, 2013

High winds can move broken or weakened ice around the lake, creating a risk of ice pile-up on windward shores. “Strong and gusty southerly winds are forecasted to occur from this afternoon into tomorrow afternoon. This will result in a high risk of shoreline ice pile-up on the windward shores of Lake Manitoba, Dauphin Lake, Lake Winnipegosis and Lake St. Martin,” notes the flood report.

Significant winds are forecasted for many locations over the next two days, with rain forecast for much of southern Manitoba on Tuesday, the report adds.

Although the water level on Dauphin Lake was reported at 856.1 feet on May 12, and forecast to rise to as much as 858.2 feet, the level is well below the peak of 861.1 feet in 2011.

Environment Canada notes in a forecast this morning for Dauphin, Roblin and Winnipegosis that south winds of 40 km/h, gusting to 60 km/h. Although clear tonight, increasing cloudiness is forecast near midnight before showers and a risk of a thunderstorm before morning. On May 14, showers and a risk of a thunderstorm are expected to bring 15 to 25 mm of rain, with wind becoming northwest 40 km/h, gusting to 60 km/h early in the afternoon.