The R.M. of Stanley is dealing with major overland flooding throughout the municipality. Deputy Reeve Ike Friesen says there's hardly an area of the R.M. not affected right now.

"There's been one hundred locations, at least, where water is running over the road," said Friesen Sunday afternoon. "We do have several homes with flooded basements in a number of areas throughout the RM. It looks like the water in the western portion of the R.M. is starting to show signs of receding, but the east is still receiving a tremendous amount of water. As we see warm temperatures in the next few days we could easily see another peak in water flows."

Friesen noted, because water levels are so high right now, pumping water to solve one problem area is creating other problems downstream.

A rural road south of Friedensruh Sunday afternoon. Photo submitted by Jake Fehr.

"Right now it's difficult," he said.

Meanwhile, Friesen stresses many of the municipality's roads are impassable, and crews are trying to barricade the problem areas, but there remain numerous washouts that may not be barricaded.

Due to unsafe road conditions, and the weather, Western School Division has announced buses will not be running and classes will be cancelled for Monday, April 25th. Staff should report when safe to do so.

"We are thinking there's going to be an upcoming peak in the northeast area of the R.M., north of Winkler," he added. "It looks like the water level is going up there."

Friesen noted there may also be a second peak in some of the municipality's villages depending on the forecast in the coming days.

"If we do see some warm temperatures rather quickly, we will see some more water coming, and there's a lot of snow still to melt in the escarpment area," he explained reflecting on the amount of snow west of the escarpment that will flow eastward through the R.M. of Stanley. "Our ditches are full, so that just increases the levels again."

The current forecast, at this point, looks favourable for a slower melt which should allow for water levels to recede, but with a heavy snowpack on the escarpment which is going to come east, only the weather will decide how fast that comes.

Meanwhile, Southern Emergency Response Committee (SERC) is coordinating a response, and if you can volunteer or have equipment available to assist, email Volunteer.serc@gmail.com . If you are in need of volunteers for assistance with sandbagging or equipment please email Request.serc@gmail.com . SERC cannot guarantee assistance but will do our best to match volunteers with needs.

High water running near Schanzenfeld. Submitted by Marven.Reflecting on the last twenty-four hours, Friesen had this message for the R.M.'s public works crews.

"I just want to thank our public works staff," he shared. "They've been working hard. They've been working 24-hours, and are doing everything they can to help. Also, the resilience of our community. They're showing their support, they're helping their neighbors out as much as they can. We just can't do it all alone as an R.M., so that's been awesome. We have a lot of numerous contractors willing to help, and have given their numbers in case we need extra help anywhere. So really give the guys credit for for all the work they're doing. The public works guys are working hard."

Sandbags are now available at the R.M. of Stanley Administration Office at 1-23111 PTH 14 as the road to the Public Works Shop is now closed in both directions.