Troops pull out of flood-hit Manitoba
CBC News
Posted: May 27, 2011 2:45 PM CT
Last Updated: May 27, 2011 2:45 PM CT
Crews set up flood protection around a rural Manitoba home. Nearly 100 houses have been damaged in this year's inundations. (CBC)
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The Canadian Forces flood-relief mission in Manitoba is over, the military said Friday, having deployed 1,800 troops over the past 2½ weeks to pack and place sandbags, monitor dikes and help evacuate communities.
"From coast to coast, the men and women of the Canadian Forces have proven they are ready and willing to assist Canadians in times of crisis," Defence Minister Peter MacKay said in a written statement. "I'm very proud of their efforts to protect the people of Manitoba and their property from the flooded Assiniboine River."
This year's seasonal flooding on the Assiniboine resulted in some of the highest water levels in a century. In Brandon, Man., about 1,400 people were forced from their homes more than three weeks ago and will return this weekend. The province's second-largest city suffered the highest river crest since 1882.
A total of 3,600 people have been displaced from their homes by the floodwaters and 100 houses damaged. The preliminary bill for flood-fighting measures like dike-building and sandbags has surpassed $200 million, and the provincial government has announced an additional $175 million for compensation and future flood-protection measures.
Canadian Forces reserves and regular personnel from the army, navy and air force were deployed to Manitoba on May 9, using small boats, Griffon helicopters and an Aurora patrol airplane to help in the flood-relief effort, the military said.
The provincial government informed MacKay on Thursday that, with water levels receding, it no longer needed military assistance.
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