The mayor of Morris remains hopeful the right weather conditions will help the region avoid a 2009 size flood this spring.

As a result of two late winter storms last week that hit the Red River basin, provincial flood forecasters are predicting that normal or average weather conditions will result in flood levels along the Red River higher than 2009.

Favourable weather would result in a smaller 2011 type flood.

Mayor Scott Crick is an 'eternal optimist' and believes they can avoid the worst case scenario.

"The forecast for the balance of this week and the preliminary forecast for next week points to more than favourable conditions in terms of precipitation. So, I'd like to retain some optimism at this point that the actual effect of what we saw happen last week might move the needle a bit, but not enough that it creates a major flood issue like it did in 2009."

In 2009, flooding along the Red River resulted in the closure of Highway 75 near Morris for several weeks and left the community with just one access route along PTH 23 on the east side of town. 

"I think we're also seeing some slightly different conditions this year compared to 2009. Even though there is additional precipitation in the U.S., we've had two dry years back to back and I think that as long as the melt continues slowly, assuming we receive favourable weather, we should see the ground taking in a little more of that water than it did in 2009," said Crick.

If the worst case scenario happens and weather conditions turn unfavourable, the town of Morris will be ready for it, according to Crick.

The town's best flood defence is the ring dike that surrounds the community, and the mayor is confident it will hold up well once again.

"One of the things that we do notice is that the dike itself really never changes. It is solid and was built to last, and from my perspective, anything that survived 1997 can survive anything that Mother Nature throws at it."