Flood of the Century
Chronology of Flood Events - 1997
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February |
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| 26 | First flood forecast issued | |
| 27 | Flood preparations begin | |
March |
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| 19 | Sandbag production begins | |
| 21 | Second flood forecast issued | |
| 25 | Sandbag deliveries begin | |
| 27 | Second sandbagging machine operating | |
April |
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| 5 - 8 | BLIZZARD OF THE CENTURY | |
| 16 | Flood Hotline goes public | |
| 20 | Province revises forecasted peak to 24.5' | |
| 21 | Floodway operation begins. Cable TV Channel 11 begins 16 days of continuous flood coverage | |
| 22 | St. Vital area opens as reception centre. City begins to deliver information packages about evacuation procedures | |
| 23 | Mayor Thompson declares State of Local Emergency. 1st mandatory evacuation ordered. 3rd sandbagging machine in operation | |
| 26 | Province advises of risk if Brunkild Dike fails. City puts St. Norbert and St. Germaine/Vermette residents on 24-hour evacuation alert | |
| 27 | City begins to construct St. Norbert earth dike. 4th sandbagging machine in operation | |
| 29 | 3,000 military personnel on route from CFB Pettawawa. Dike patrols begin 24-hour dike monitoring | |
| 30 | St. Norbert evacuated. Flood hotline answers 12,560 calls in 24-hour period | |
May |
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| 1 | Red River Crests at 24.5' | |
| 3 | 101 pumps issued | |
| 5 | Provencher Bridge closed | |
| 7 | City begins to allow residents to return home. Sandbag production ends | |
| 10 | Evacuees return home. Removal of dikes begin | |
| 13 | Military personnel go home | |
| 23 | Mayor Thompson sounds the all-clear. In total, 54 city homes have been flooded | |
July |
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| 14 | Provencher Bridge re-opens |