‘Stay off all highways’: Premier addresses Parkland flooding, Dauphin under state of emergency

Manitoba Premier Wab Kinew is asking Parkland region residents to “stay off” the roads, following multiple overland floodings in communities such as Dauphin, Swan River and more.

In a social media post on Wednesday morning, the City of Dauphin declared a state of local emergency due to “unprecedented” rainfall causing widespread flooding on streets and properties.

“We had a significant amount of basement flooding and sewer backup on the northeast end of the community — which is the lowest end of the city,” Dauphin Mayor David Bosiak told CTV News on Wednesday.

Several firefighters from neighbouring municipalities are visiting homes that had sewer and flooding issues, ensuring residents are safe and houses are inhabitable.

As of 3:39 p.m., flooding on major thoroughfares and roadways appears to be diminished, Bosiak said.

He said until 10:30 p.m. on Tuesday, it appeared the flooding was “manageable.”

“This was all based on past flooding in our city. Unfortunately, during the night, there was a major amount of water coming down the Vermillion River — which breached its banks throughout the city, which caused us to say, ‘this is now beyond our control, we need some help.’”

Residents are asked to avoid all non-essential travel and minimize water use as much as possible to reduce demand on the wastewater system.

“Our water treatment facility is maxed out right now. We have auxiliary pumps in to help with the outflow. The sanitary system and the water delivery system in the city are both under direct stress,” Bosiak said.

The flooding prompted cancellations and closures in the city, including its Canada Day Party in the Park event.

The 4th Avenue SW bridge was closed to all vehicle and pedestrian traffic until further notice as the water levels have risen.

“Water had breached the bridge during (Tuesday night) … we’re not certain how safe it will be once the water recedes.”

Patients evacuated from Dauphin hospital

Prairie Mountain Health closed the Dauphin Regional Health Centre’s emergency department until further notice due to overland flooding, according to its website.

In an unscheduled press conference on Wednesday, Manitoba Premier Wab Kinew, director of Emergency Management Organization Christine Stevens and chief forecaster of the province’s hydrological forecast centre Fisaha Unduche addressed the media with the province’s latest response and forecast.

Kinew said all patients — 58 in total — from the Dauphin Regional Health Centre are being evacuated and heading to Brandon, Man., and other appropriate facilities.

“We are doing everything we can to keep these patients and their family members up to speed on where they are going to be transported to and when,” he said.

While the province is making “best efforts” to keep families up to date, it may not be “as quickly as they would like,” Kinew added, due to the urgency of the situation.

Those wondering about the well-being and location of their families in Dauphin Regional Health Centre can contact the Patient Information Line by Health Links at 888-315-9257.

Meantime, a temporary urgent care centre is being set up at the Dauphin Medical Clinic to address medical emergencies in the city, Kinew said.

30 states of local emergency: EMO

Director of the Emergency Management Organization, Christine Stevens, said that while rainfall has stopped in many areas, rivers remain elevated.

“This is a major, multi-regional flooding event that is spanning across western and northwestern Manitoba,” she said.

With flooding affecting the ability to restore power and municipal response, 30 states of emergency have been declared due to the extreme weather.

“Over the next 24 to 48 hours, we will be watching and monitoring for further road and bridge impacts, further community isolation,” Stevens said.

“Communities are monitoring wastewater infrastructure and we’re also prepared to support any additional evacuations that might have to occur in communities that are currently affected.”

Swan River issues partial mandatory evacuation

The Town of Swan River has issued a mandatory evacuation order for the residents in the following areas of the streets due to increasing water levels and limited ability for emergency services to respond:

• Duncan Crescent;
• Heyes Street;
• Crescent Drive;
• Centennial Drive;
• Sixth Avenue North;
• Seventh Avenue North; and
• River Park Drive

Residents in these areas are required to evacuate no later than 3 p.m. on Wednesday. The town said they should prepare to be away from their homes “for up to 72 hours.”

Evacuees are asked to report to the evacuation centre set up at the Veterans Community Hall, located at 119 Sixth Ave N. Food, beverages, and temporary supports are available.

Those who do not need assistance and already have accommodations with family, friends or elsewhere are asked to notify the centre in person, or by calling or texting 204-281-0374 or 204-281-3343.

‘Stay off highways’: Kinew

Kinew also urged the Parkland residents to stay off all highways and municipal roads.

“We continue to see a lot of road failures and other impacts on infrastructure in the region, in areas even where the water may have moved on from its peak,” he said.

Kinew reassured Parkland residents concerned about possible medical emergencies, saying the province has a “sophisticated, comprehensive, coordinated response.”

“If you do have a medical emergency in the Parkland region, we are asking for you to call 911 or call your local emergency service and we will come get you by helicopter, boat, whichever means of conveyance is necessary.”

As of 3:47 p.m., 54 highway closures are in place due to flooding, according to Manitoba 511.

$5M disaster fund open to municipalities

Kinew emphasized the local leadership’s importance.

“The local leaders on the ground have the most up-to-date information about health, potential evacuations, impacts on infrastructure in your community and in your region,” he said.

To support the municipal governments’ response, Kinew announced a $5-million advanced disaster financial assistance fund.

“Cash flow today, so that there is no barrier in your ability to meet the needs of your ratepayers and residents,” he said.

“We are going to be working with municipal leaders, we’re going to be working with individuals … for now, the situation in the Parkland continues to be very, very serious.

“We’re asking this Canada Day, that we all work together as one Manitoba.”