Recent Disasters

• 2010 October 26-28 Windstorm
• 2010 July 1-3 Severe Weather
• 2010 June 25-26 Severe Weather
• 2010 June 17-18 Heavy Rains
• 2010 May 28-30 Heavy Rains
• 2010 April 28 - May 2 Heavy Rains
• 2010 Spring Flood
• 2009 Spring Flood
• 2008 August Interlake Westlake Flood
• 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.

2010 October 26-28 Windstorm

On October 26, 2010, Environment Canada released a weather warning indicating that rain and strong winds were expected to develop across southern Manitoba later in the day with gusts to 80 km/h likely over the Red River Valley by October 28, 2010. Local gusts of 90 to 100 km/h were possible along the southern shore of Lake Manitoba and Lake Winnipeg where northerly winds blow off the open water. Gale warnings were in effect for those lakes with large waves likely which could cause local beach erosion.

Due to strong, gusting winds many lakes overflowed their banks resulting in overland flooding in surrounding communities.

The Weather Network reported that the storm set a record as it moved through Manitoba. It brought an all time record for lowest barometric pressure in Winnipeg.

Disaster Financial Assistance (DFA) is available for areas impacted by the 2010 October 26-28 Windstorm (see Program Announcement).

• Private property owners with event related damage are encouraged to complete a DFA application.
• Local authorities with event related damage are encouraged to complete a Community Impact Assessment and submit a resolution requesting DFA if nesseccary.

2010 July 1-3 Severe Weather

Wind and severe thunderstorms, which affected much of central Manitoba July 1 to 3 with damage reported from the Duck Mountain region through to the RMs of Siglunes, Grahamdale and Fisher. Damage was also reported at the Peguis First Nation and Fisher River Cree Nation. Several homes in ashern and Moosehorn were flooded.

Disaster Financial Assistance (DFA) is available for areas impacted by the 2010 July 1-3 Severe Weather (see Program Announcement).

• Private property owners with event related damage are encouraged to complete a DFA application.
• Local authorities with event related damage are encouraged to complete a Community Impact Assessment and submit a resolution requesting DFA if nesseccary.

2010 June 25-26 Severe Weather

Severe thunderstorms, hail and heavy rain, which hit parts of the province June 26 with Steinbach, Hanover and La Broquerie reporting winds reaching 90 km/h.

Disaster Financial Assistance (DFA) is available for areas impacted by the 2010 June 25-26 Severe Weather (see Program Announcement).

• Private property owners with event related damage are encouraged to complete a DFA application.
• Local authorities with event related damage are encouraged to complete a Community Impact Assessment and submit a resolution requesting DFA if nesseccary.

2010 June 17-18 Heavy Rain

Western Manitoba experienced heavy rainfall of 30-50mm on June 17 - 18, 2010. Some areas received at least 75 mm and some areas of the Interlake received 35 mm. Extensive overland flooding occured. Some streams overflowed their banks and road washouts have occurred in some areas.

Disaster Financial Assistance (DFA) is available for areas impacted by the 2010 June 17-18 Heavy Rain (see Program Announcement).

Private property owners with event related damage are encouraged to complete a DFA application.

Local authorities with event related damage are encouraged to complete a Community Impact Assessment and submit a resolution requesting DFA if nesseccary.

2010 May 28-30 Severe Weather

Much of southern Manitoba, including the City of Winnipeg, experienced strong winds and received 75 to 100mm of rain during May 28th and 29th, 2010 with higher amounts in some areas. These areas experienced extensive overland flooding due to the heavy rains falling on soils already saturated from two storms on the Victoria Day long weekend. Many local authorities experienced significant public sector damages. Many residents reported damages caused by backup which is insurable and therefore ineligible for Disaster Financial Assistance(DFA).

Disaster Financial Assistance (DFA) is available for areas impacted by the 2010 May 28-29 Severe Weather (see Program Announcement).

Private property owners with event related damage are encouraged to complete a DFA application.

Local authorities with event related damage are encouraged to complete a Community Impact Assessment and submit a resolution requesting DFA if nesseccary.

2010 April 28 - May 2 Heavy Rains

Overland flash flooding occurred over a large area of the RMs of Mountain and Ethelbert from April 28 – May 2, 2010. Water Stewardship report the highest rainfall at 100 mm in the Duck Mountain areas. The vast majority of the impact is centered on the public sector. A few homes have reported damage.

Disaster Financial Assistance (DFA) is available for areas impacted by the 2010 April 28 - May 2 Heavy Rains (see Program Announcement).

Private property owners with event related damage are encouraged to complete a DFA application.

Local authorities with event related damage are encouraged to complete a Community Impact Assessment and submit a resolution requesting DFA if nesseccary.

2010 Spring Flood

Due to high soil moisture in much of south-eastern Manitoba and record accumulation of snow in the United States region that drains into the Red River system, the Red River achieved flood stage at Emerson on March 24, 2010 and March 26, 2010 at Morris. The Red River remained at flood stage until April 16, 2010. The RMs of Montcalm and Franklin, as well as the Town of Emerson, experienced significant damage. Additionally farmers in that area report debris and erosion damage.

Disaster Financial Assistance (DFA) is available for areas impacted by the 2010 Spring Flood (see Program Announcement).

Private property owners with event related damage are encouraged to complete a DFA application.

Local authorities with event related damage are encouraged to complete a Community Impact Assessment and submit a resolution requesting DFA if nesseccary.

Important Dates

• July 20, 2010: Disaster Financial Assistance program announcement
• October 22, 2010: Deadline for private sector applications
• July 20, 2011: Program closure date. All invoices or other documents detailing disaster-related expenses must reach our office or be post-marked by this date.

2009 Spring Flood

Significant spring flooding occurred in Southern Manitoba. Overland flooding and frozen drainage systems along with river ice had significant impact on the flood situation. Hundreds of evacuations took place. Several areas experienced significant house damage due to raising water and ice. A number of highways and roads were impassible due to water on road.

Overview of 2009 Spring Flooding in Manitoba (Manitoba Water Stewardship)
Manitoba 2009 Spring Flood Report (Manitoba Water Stewardship)

Disaster Financial Assistance (DFA) is available for areas impacted by the 2009 Spring Flood (see Program Announcement).

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2008 August Interlake Westlake Flood

Heavy rains resulted in overland flooding over a large area of the Interlake and Westlake region from August 20 to September 2, 2008 due to soils being saturated. The soil saturation resulted from above normal rainfall during July (240% of normal) and August (183% of normal). Rainfall in late August to early September constituted a 100 year event in the Armstrong and Bifrost area.

Vast majority of the impact is centered on the agricultural sector and cattle industry.

Disaster Financial Assistance (DFA) is available for areas impacted by the August Interlake Westlake Flood (see Program Announcement).

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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.

Photos

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2005 / 2006 Northern Flooding

Due to much wetter condition than normal, the levels of northern Manitoba 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.

Photos

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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.

Photos

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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.

Photos

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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

Photos

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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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