Manitoba premier visits Peguis First Nation to fill sandbags

Manitoba premier Wab Kinew visited Peguis First Nation and joined volunteers filling sandbags as the community prepares for rising Fisher River water expected to peak around April 23–28.

Manitoba premier Wab Kinew visited Peguis First Nation on April 16 and took part in sandbagging and touring local flood preparations. The visit happened as the community works to limit potential damage from the rising Fisher River after warnings that levels could match those of 2022. About 500 volunteers and workers are reported to be helping, and the community's multiplex is being readied as an evacuation centre. Officials say water levels are expected to rise next week and peak in late April. Key details: - Premier Wab Kinew joined volunteers making sandbags and visited flood operation sites in Peguis First Nation. - The community reports about 500 people helping and is preparing an evacuation centre. - Leadership has identified roughly 225 homes needing flood protection and crews are building sandbag and clay dikes. - Officials say runoff and peak flows are expected around April 23–28; evacuations could begin this weekend and the Red River floodway may be used to manage Winnipeg water levels. Summary: The premier's visit highlights coordinated preparations in Peguis First Nation as officials and volunteers work to protect homes from anticipated high water. Evacuation planning and protective measures are underway, with peak flows forecast for April 23–28 and potential use of regional flood controls.