Brandon braces for flood as rivers expected to rise

Brandon, the Town of Minnedosa and Sioux Valley Dakota Nation have all declared states of local emergency as communities across western Manitoba brace for rising river levels.

The declarations come as provincial forecasts continue to predict significant increases in water levels along the Assiniboine River and other waterways, prompting municipalities and First Nations to accelerate flood protection efforts.

Brandon City Council unanimously approved its declaration during a special meeting Saturday evening, following recommendations from emergency manager Tobin Praznik and director of engineering Kyle Winters. The declaration gives the city additional authority and flexibility to respond quickly to changing flood conditions, protect infrastructure and safeguard residents.

Mayor Jeff Fawcett said the move is a pre-emptive measure to protect residents, critical infrastructure and property.

“The declaration should not alarm residents … it is intended to ensure the city is prepared well before the river reaches its expected peak around July 12,” he told the Sun.

“For almost the entirety of the city, there’s really no impact. This is all about the river and ensuring we can do the necessary dike work. It’s preventative, just like we’ve done historically, to make sure all our actions are in place to prevent a serious incident from potential flooding.”

Fawcett said while council approved the declaration, it was forwarded to the provincial government for enactment, following the required process.

“We’re ahead of the game. People should continue to act as they have been, stay away from the river areas and follow public safety directions.”

The mayor said no evacuation orders have been issued and that the declaration does not affect travel into or out of Brandon.

Flood protection efforts are already underway. The temporary dike closure at Grand Valley Road and 18th Street was completed Friday evening, and the province is working with the city on additional protection, including near First Street.

Amy Tuckett-McGimpsey, director of cabinet communications for the Manitoba government, said the province continues to support Brandon’s preparations.

“We are working closely with Mayor Fawcett and Brandon officials to provide any assistance they need to protect property, keep families safe and prepare for rising water levels,” she told the Sun.

She said Manitoba constructed the temporary dike at 18th Street on Friday and remains ready to provide further flood protection, flood-forecasting and equipment such as tiger tubes — flexible water-filled tubes used as temporary flood barriers — and sandbags if required.

About 48 kilometres north of Brandon, the Town of Minnedosa declared its own state of local emergency on Sunday morning after council unanimously approved the measure during a special meeting.

Mayor Ken Cameron said the declaration follows extensive preparations after last week’s heavy rainfall and provincial forecasts indicating the Little Saskatchewan River is expected to overflow its banks between Sunday and Wednesday.

“Our community is in a valley, so when the river exceeds its banks, we end up in quite a predicament where houses … and businesses are being flooded,” Cameron told the Sun.

“We’ve been sandbagging and preparing for this because the government tells us what the water flows are going to be, and they’re telling us to expect our river to overflow its banks.”

Cameron said the declaration provides legal authority for the municipality to take whatever actions are necessary to protect the community, including carrying out flood protection work on private property if required.

“It gives us the power to do what we need to do to protect our community,” Cameron said.

While evacuation remains a possibility if conditions worsen, Cameron said officials are not anticipating that at this time.

“I would say the mood overall is this community pulls together when we have the need,” he said in an interview. “Volunteers are great. We’re trying to get through it as a group, and we usually do because the community is excellent at pulling together.”

The declaration will remain in effect until Aug. 4 unless lifted earlier or extended, the town stated in a press release issued on Sunday. Officials reported that Sunday’s provincial forecast slightly reduced the expected river peak, with water now projected to rise up to 0.6 metres above current levels between July 6 and 8.

Meanwhile, flood protection work continues throughout Minnedosa, including completed sandbagging in Heritage Village and along Second Avenue Northeast, deployment of tiger tubes near the bridge and Victoria Bay, and the arrival of an additional 60,000 sandbags and more flood barriers from the province.

Sioux Valley Dakota Nation also declared a state of emergency on Saturday due to rising waters that threaten the community and surrounding areas.

Chief Jennifer Bone said the move is not due to immediate danger but is intended to ensure the community can respond quickly if conditions worsen.

“It’s just a proactive measure for our community to activate our emergency management process and ensure that the community is able to respond quickly if conditions change rapidly,” she told the Sun.

Sioux Valley Dakota Nation has been in ongoing communication with provincial and federal partners, including the Manitoba Emergency Management Organization and Indigenous Services Canada, as part of its preparedness efforts, she said.

Despite the declaration, Bone said there are no current restrictions on movement in and out of the community.

“Provincial Highway 21, which runs through the area, remains open and accessible,” she said in an interview. “All roads are still accessible in and out of the community.”

However, some precautionary steps have already been taken. Certain homes have been placed on notice for possible evacuation, and residents who require regular medical travel — such as dialysis patients commuting to Brandon — have also been flagged for potential relocation depending on how conditions develop, she said.

“There are homes that have been put on notice as of Friday just to prepare for evacuation,” Bone said. “They may or may not be evacuated depending on the situation, and it’s being monitored.”

A second update issued Sunday urged residents to remain calm despite alarming images circulating on social media.

“It is important to note that this is not a tsunami,” the update read. “The current situation involves river and watershed conditions associated with rainfall and water management.”

Bone said there is no immediate cause for panic and encouraged residents to continue normal activities while staying informed through official communication channels, reviewing emergency plans and avoiding the spread of unverified information.

Swan River lifted its mandatory evacuation order for flooded homes Saturday as recovery efforts began.

The federal government has approved the deployment of members of the Canadian Armed Forces to western Manitoba’s Parkland region to assist with logistics, resource co-ordination and response assessments after a request from the Manitoba government.

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