SOURIS, Manitoba, June 11 (UPI) -- With more rain in the weekend forecast, people living along swollen rivers in Manitoba were on flood alert, officials said.
Another inch or so of rain was forecast by Sunday night, and that could fill the Souris and Assiniboine river basins and strain the Portage Diversion's designed capacity, the Canadian Broadcasting Corp. reported.
The Assiniboine could even return to record levels reached just a few weeks ago, the CBC said.
Darryl Jackson, mayor of Souris, where about 60 people were evacuated from their homes Friday, said many people unaffected by the evacuation order are making preparations just in case.
"People are using half-tons [trucks], flatbed trailers from neighbors, farmers, etc. It's hard work today, but people understand and they are abiding by the rules," he said.
Meanwhile, in Richelieu Valley in Quebec province, thousands of volunteers are helping flood victims clean up after high waters receded.
Thousands of homes and businesses in the Monteregie area south of Montreal were damaged by the recent flooding.
Among the volunteers Saturday was Quebec Premier Jean Charest.
"Today is a very beautiful day, with respect to the fact that a number of Quebecers have stepped forward to lend a hand to fellow citizens, to help them out in this time of need," Charest said while in St. Paul de l'Ile aux Noix.
"We all thought this would be a flood that would last a week, two weeks. The water would leave, we'd rebuild. We've dealt with these situations, but this, the longevity of this event, is the challenge."
