Rescuers save 44 in Manitoba flooding

WINNIPEG, Manitoba, April 13 (UPI) -- Flooding on the Red River north of Winnipeg, Manitoba, led to 44 people being rescued from rooftops and huge ice floes, emergency officials said.

Don Brennan, acting director of the Manitoba Emergency Measures Organization, said in the small community of Breezy Point, an evacuation order issued Friday was ignored by some residents.

"There are people who want to protect their homes and don't give enough thought to the problems they can cause by doing that," he said. "We could have easily lost rescuers today."

Nine people were rescued Sunday by crews in Zodiac boats in Breezy Point and 35 others were taken to safety in the community of St. Clements, the Winnipeg Sun said.

Brennan said several homes were destroyed by ice sheets and a full assessment would be done this week.

No injuries were reported, the Winnipeg Free Press reported.

Managing the seasonal flooding is difficult because of unpredictable massive ice slabs that jam and break free and threaten bridges, said Steve Topping, coordinator of provincial flood-fighting efforts.