Two hundred people heeded the call to action for volunteers for sandbagging on Thursday when the flooding situation took a turn for the worse in Souris.
The Souris River, already over its banks, had town officials worried that more rain in the forecast could lead to a breach at the main dike.
More than 7,000 sandbags were set up.
About 20 homes were evacuated and several other homeowners were put on evacuation alert on Thursday.
Blair Bastian is a homeowner who is currently only allowed back in three times each day to check for water in his house.
"We're hoping that we get back into our home in good time, but that's not going to happen until the river drops and it's not going to happen until Mother Nature sees fit to let the sun shine," said Bastian.
Along with some residents being forced from homes, other creatures have been affected.
A number of peacocks that were first brought in as a tourist attraction years ago have also been impacted by the high water levels.
They normally live in a bird sanctuary at Victoria Park, but flooding has forced the peacocks from their home.
"Of course they don't like the water and the park is under water and has been since April, so they have been forced to flee to higher ground," said Darryl Jackson, mayor of Souris.
Since the main dike around the town was reinforced Thursday night, the Souris River has dropped six inches, said officials.
- with a report from CTV's Josh Crabb
