Officials in the R.M. of Morris are bracing for a significant flood event this spring following the province's latest forecast.

With favourable weather, the Red River would rise to 2011 levels. Unfavourable weather conditions, however, would bring the river beyond 2009 levels.

Reeve, Ralph Groening, says he isn't surprised by this latest prediction and points to the two major snow storms that moved through southern Manitoba and North Dakota last week.

Local officials will begin preparations when they meet Thursday to make certain they are all on the same page.

"We will take a look at how we responded in previous events both in 2001 and 2009, and also some discussion about what a worse-case (scenario) might be and our response based on something more significant," explained Groening.

The 2009 flood saw the entire community of Riverside, about 150 people, evacuated along with several rural homeowners that had road access to their yards cut-off by high water. Ten years later, Groening says with improved flood protection and access to emergency funding, officials will make every effort to ensure people can stay in their homes this spring.

Meantime, Rosenort remained accessible in 2009 and Groening expects the community will stay open this spring now that PR 330 has been raised 1 foot beyond that year's flood level.