Recent Disasters

• 2007 June Severe Weather
• 2007 Spring Flood
• 2005 / 2006 Northern Flood
• 2006 November Flooding (Waterhen)
• 2006 August 5 Tornado
• 2006 May Rains (Interlake)
• 2006 Spring Flood
• 2005 Flood

For a historical record of disasters that have occurred in Canada in the last 100 years. Go to the Canadian Disaster Database.

2007 June Severe Weather

June 22 to 24 severe weather affected a number of areas in southern Manitoba. The most severe tornado, classified by Environment Canada as F5, struck the community of Elie in the Rural Municipality of Cartier June 22nd. Heavy storms and reported tornadoes developed again on June 23rd causing widespread damage from southwest Manitoba to the Whiteshell.

Disaster Financial Assistance (DFA) will be made available for areas impacted by June tornados and heavy wind storms.

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2007 Spring Flood

Ice jam and frazil ice formations on the Red River resulted in a sudden rise and overland flooding at Selkirk on April 4, 2007. Basement flooding occurred at two Kiwanis condominiums in Selkirk, with flood waters resulting in the loss of electrical power and the evacuation of approximately 120 people. Overland flooding also occurred at the Golf Course, Selkirk Park, at the Marine Museum, and at several private properties in Selkirk, St. Clements and St. Andrews.

Disaster Financial Assistance (DFA) will be made available for eligible flood related damages in the city of Selkirk and the rural municipalities of St. Clements and St. Andrews affected by ice jam flooding in April 2007.

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2005 / 2006 Northern Flooding

Due to much wetter condition than normal, the levels of northern Manitoa streams, rivers and lakes were generally well above average in the summer of 2005 and high water levels continued until the summer of 2006.

Applications for Disaster Financial Assistance for individuals of northern Manitoba who were affected by the flooding are being accepted.

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2006 November Flooding

During November 2006 the Waterhen River rose above flood stage due to high water levels and frazil ice formation. 16 houses were sandbagged and one was inundated with water. The Community of Wateren passed an Emergency Prevention Order on November 15, 2006 to provide additional powers to address the initial onset of the emergency. Due to imminent threat of the emergency a State of Local Emergency was declared on November 16, 2006. The Amphibex Icebreaker was deployed to region to relieve some of the water pressure.

Applications for Disaster Financial Assistance for individuals who were affected by the flooding are being accepted. Affected property owners in the Community of Waterhen who incurred losses or damage may apply.

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2006 August 5 Tornado

On August 5, 2006 an F2 tornado touched down on the east side of Lake Winnipeg. An F2 tornado is considered to be a "significant" tornado producing wind speeds between 180 and 250 km/hr and which often results in considerable damage. Thought to be the worst tornado to hit Manitoba in the past 70 years, this tornado uprooted trees, brought down power lines, damaged at least two farm sites, destroyed 20-25 trailers in the Full Lake Resort, and severely damaged the Kendall Point and Tall Timber Lodges.

The tornado resulted in the death of a 64 year old woman at Gull Lake and 10-15 people were taken to hospital with varying injuries.

The province provided up to $250,000 in disaster assistance to farmers and rural municipalities in response to damage caused by this tornado. This assistance is intended to help with costs such as debris removal and response costs to municipalities.

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2006 May Rains

During the night of May 27-28, 2006 heavy rainfall measuring between 125 mm (4 inches) and 150 mm (6 inches) fell over much of Manitoba's Interlake region. The rainwater flooded farmers' fields and filled drains and culverts. In the Town of Fisher Branch, 40-45 homes experienced basement flooding ranging from a few inches to several feet. The RM of Fisher operated the town's pumping station and made several road cuts to alleviate some of the flooding. Several road washouts were also reported by the RM.

Similar flooding occurred on the nearby Peguis First Nation and Fisher River Cree Nation. Reports from Peguis indicate as many as 180 homes had flooded basements; Fisher River reported 45 homes with flooded basements.

Applications for Disaster Financial Assistance for individuals who were affected by the heavy rains on May 28 and 29, 2006 are being accepted. Affected Manitobans who incurred losses or damage in the Rural Municipality of Fisher, Peguis First Nation, and Fisher River Cree Nation may apply.

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2006 Spring Flood

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2005 Flood

Update

The 2005 Flood Disaster Financial Assistance program has now received over 5,500 applications for disaster financial assistance and provided more than $33 million to assist Manitobans in restoring pubic and private property.

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