Southwestern Manitoba faces a flash flood warning, prompting the Municipality of Boissevain-Morton to declare a state of emergency following heavy rainfall on Monday evening. David Stead, a Boissevain-Morton councillor, described the unexpected downpour as overwhelming, causing water to flow in from all directions. Boissevain received 152 millimetres of rain by early Tuesday morning, with ongoing rainfall in surrounding areas but at lower levels, according to Environment and Climate Change Canada.
Residents like Paul Vasile were shocked by the volume of water, with levels reaching above knee height in some areas. The situation was likened to a scene from the movie “Titanic,” as basements were flooded, furniture floated around, and cleanup efforts were underway. Other severely impacted areas include Deloraine, Minto, and Shilo, each receiving substantial rainfall.
Emergency measures were put in place, with the Manitoba Emergency Management Organization issuing a flash flood warning and cautioning about unsafe road conditions due to flooding. Manitoba Hydro reported power outages affecting approximately 14,200 customers during the storm, with crews working to restore services amidst access challenges.
Boissevain-Morton’s state of emergency declaration urged caution on flooded roads and conservation of water resources. This recent flooding event follows a similar storm in June, which led to widespread damage and the initiation of disaster financial assistance programs in affected regions. The municipality has canceled upcoming events due to the impact of the floods, with infrastructure and properties suffering water damage. Residents are urged to stay away from affected areas and closed roads to avoid potential dangers caused by the remaining floodwaters.