The Municipality of Rhineland is purchasing three pieces of flood-fighting equipment thanks to $133,000 in provincial funding.

Under the 2020 Flood Protection Program, the province offered funding support to municipalities to enhance municipal capacity for flood preparedness, equipment costs and build resiliency for future floods. Initially, the one-time program was capped at $3 million, but in light of the need for preparation this spring, the funding was more-than-doubled for projects in areas all across Manitoba.

Rhineland Reeve Don Wiebe says a new enclosed culvert steamer trailer, a new diesel pump on a trailer, and a backup generator for the public works shop, will help crews respond to situations quickly.

"We have creeks and lots of provincial drains and sometimes, depending on the weather patterns, the culverts can get frozen and yards can be threatened," he explained. "And in town, the same thing. The culvert freezes and a certain section of town may be in critical condition. You don't want basements to flood."