The Mayor for Ritchot says his municipality is benefiting from favourable spring weather. No, it may not be the kind of weather for wearing shorts and planting flowers, but Chris Ewen says it is minimizing this year's flood threat. 

As of Wednesday, the province continues to call for water levels along the Red River in Ritchot to crest between 2006 and 2019. At this point, it appears the peak will be closer to 2006.

Flooding at St. Adolphe"Right now we are doing well," says Ewen. 

There are still seven road closures in Ritchot. They are the LaSalle Bridge on Waverley, Crown Valley Road at Provincial Road 200, Courchaine Rd Between PR 200 and Turnbull Drive, Alarie Road Between PR 200 and Crystal Springs, Levesque Road at PR 305, Prefontaine Road from PR 200 to Sood and Meyers Road from PR 200 to Red River.

According to Ewen, most of those closures are typical for a spring in his municipality.

"We are very prone to seeing road closures around the Red River," he explains. "Especially around that Howden and St. Adolphe region."

Ewen notes they continue to work with the province to make sure they are ready for what is to come.

Meanwhile, Ritchot has been notified that the province will not be involved in evacuations due to flooding. The province has suggested that residents try to stay home and shelter in place. If that is not possible, the second option would be to move in with family and friends, however meal allowances would not be provided by the province. The third and final option is to book into a hotel, though the province has indicated it will not cover that expense or the cost of food. 

Ewen says as of Thursday morning, there has been one evacuation in Ritchot. He notes this is not common for the province not to provide financial assistance. 

"I think unfortunately the government is burdened with another disaster or pandemic right now," says Ewen. "They didn't prepare for two disasters at once."

Ewen notes it could just be that the province is taking a wait and see approach. Either way, he notes the municipality will look after its residents and if an evacuation is necessary, could potentially fund this through municipal finances. 

The Municipality has 400,000 sandbags that are available to be delivered. The sandbag delivery line is 431-348-0029.