Winnipeg waits anxiously for Red to crest
By John MacDonald
Associated Press
WINNIPEG, Man. – Putting their faith in a hastily constructed dike south of the city, people waited anxiously for word Thursday that the bulging Red River had finally crested.

The anxiety was relieved for many with news that, even if the dike broke, flooding in the city likely would be minimal.

Winnipeg officials on Wednesday told some 10,000 people in riverfront businesses and homes to be prepared to evacuate on short notice if there were breaches in the temporary dike.

On Thursday, that order was postponed. Mayor Susan Thompson said hydrologists now believe that even multiple breaches in the 25-mile earthen dike would not greatly increase the amount of water in the Red River, which cuts through Winnipeg.

Thompson said she felt "good and comfortable" with the city’s preparations.

"I think the best way to describe today is it’s a good, solid holding pattern that we’re in," Thompson said. "There is a decidedly stronger confidence (because of) the better data that we have."

Floodwaters from the Red, which flows north, have devastated communities in North Dakota and Minnesota in the worst flooding in the region’s history. In Winnipeg, the river on Thursday afternoon was only a few inches shy of its predicted crest of 24.5 feet. It was expected to crest by nightfall.

A huge, 30-year-old floodway built to divert much of the Red River east of the city was expected to spare most of Winnipeg from the flooding.

But crews also quickly built a 25-mile dike southwest of town to stop a lake of water moving over land toward the city.

Manitoba Premier Gary Filmon received a $25 million check from Canadian officials to help pay for the flood-protection efforts.

Canada’s chief election officer, Jean-Pierre Kingsley, toured the Winnipeg area Thursday to see the flooding. Kingsley said he wanted to meet with local election officials before deciding whether to recommend postponing a June 2 election for 10 parliamentary districts affected by flooding.

The election would have to be rescheduled within six months.

Filmon said he is confident Kingsley will recommend a postponement.

"People are under tremendous stress," he said. "They can’t even think about campaigning."