Overland flood warning for Westman; one dead after highway crash

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This article was published 11/05/2023 (1108 days ago), so information in it may no longer be current.

Overland flood warning for Westman

An overland flood warning was issued for parts of southwestern Manitoba by the provincial government on Thursday afternoon ahead of an upcoming rainstorm.

The area affected is from the Canada-U.S. border to the Trans-Canada Highway from north to south, and from the border with Saskatchewan to Highway 110 near Brandon from west to east.

Potentially affected communities include Brandon, Griswold, Deloraine, Melta, Boissevain, Souris and Virden.

“Some weather forecast models indicate the potential of severe thunderstorms, with the system bringing up to 150 millimetres of rain,” the province’s release reads.

“Heavy rain occurring over a short period on saturated soils could create overland flooding or significant surface runoff in a short period. Water level forecasts will be updated to determine the effects of this precipitation.”

The warning goes into effect this morning and ends Saturday at noon.

Reached by phone on Thursday, City of Brandon emergency co-ordinator Tobin Praznik said the city stays ready in case of any large weather events that could swell the Assiniboine River around this time of year.

“Our teams are on alert. We continue to maintain our equipment and preparedness and check on our personnel, so if we do see these impacts, we’re ready to take action,” Praznik said.

He reminded Brandon residents to be careful when they and their pets are in low-lying areas near the river.

With this week being celebrated as emergency preparedness week, Praznik said it’s a great reminder for everyone to stay prepared in case of emergencies.

One dead after highway crash

A 43-year-old woman from the Municipality of North Norfolk has died after a two-vehicle collision at the intersection of Road 64 West and the Trans-Canada Highway on Thursday morning.

According to the Manitoba RCMP, a vehicle heading south on Road 64 hit another vehicle heading eastbound on the Trans-Canada Highway.

The driver and sole occupant of the southbound vehicle was taken to hospital with non-life-threatening injuries while the driver of the eastbound vehicle was pronounced dead at the scene.

Police confirmed to the Sun the collision occurred at the same intersection where a 17-year-old male driver heading southbound tried to cross while it was unsafe to do so and hit a vehicle travelling on the Trans-Canada Highway on May 2.

The teen driver sustained minor injuries and was issued two tickets under the Highway Traffic Act: one for proceeding when not safe to do so, worth $174, and another for driving carelessly, worth $672. He was also served a serious offence notice.

The driver of the other vehicle, a 30-year-old from Austin, was taken to hospital with non-life-threatening injuries.

Koch says mechanical issues fixed at Brandon plant

After a week of loud noises and flaring coming from Koch Fertilizer Canada’s plant in Brandon, a company spokesperson said repairs were expected to be completed Thursday evening.

In an email, operations leader Rodi Sveistrup said the conditions were the result of a piece of equipment being shut down for maintenance.

On May 4, that piece of equipment was reactivated, which caused the noise and exposed flames witnessed by residents in Brandon’s east end.

During the restart of the equipment, Koch workers identified additional maintenance that needed to be completed, which temporarily halted the process. That additional maintenance, the company wrote, was finished Thursday and the startup was to resume that evening.

According to Sveistrup, the noise and flaring didn’t pose any health or safety risks to the public, employees or contractors.

“We apologize for the inconvenience this is causing and appreciate the community’s understanding and patience,” Sveistrup wrote.

Identity theft

A 35-year-old woman was arrested after allegedly trying to open a bank account using identification that didn’t belong to her on Wednesday.

According to police, employees at the financial business on the 500 block of First Street were suspicious of the woman because she did not match the descriptors on the ID that she presented.

When police arrested the woman, she was in possession of stolen ID and stolen forged cheques.

She will appear in court on July 6.

Woman assaulted, tires slashed

A 20-year-old man was arrested after allegedly assaulting his mother and slashing the tires of her vehicle on Wednesday night.

At around 10 p.m., police responded to an assault at a home. The homeowner told police that her adult son came home intoxicated and assaulted her before locking her out of the home. He then went outside and slashed the tires on her vehicle with a knife.

The woman did not require medical attention.

The man was charged with assault, mischief under $5,000 and possession of a weapon.

Arrest following meat theft

Video surveillance helped police identify a man who allegedly stole $200 worth of meat from the Real Canadian Superstore on Monday.

The 40-year-old man was located and arrested by police Wednesday. He will appear in court on July 10 on a charge of theft under $5,000.

» The Brandon Sun