In a rare occurrence, Steinbach faced an unprecedented storm with two months’ worth of rainfall in a single night. Despite moving to a new facility over two years ago, the city’s animal shelter has had to evacuate its animals every September due to flooding. Approximately 200 residents are awaiting confirmation on financial aid from the provincial disaster relief fund for the consecutive floods.
In 2024, a storm brought 156 millimetres of rain over September 16-17. This year, the city experienced even heavier rainfall, with 103 millimetres falling in just four hours and a total of 135 millimetres by the storm’s end. The Steinbach and Area Animal Rescue had to relocate 22 animals temporarily to deal with the aftermath.
The organization has spent $50,000 on flood-related expenses over the past two years, with repairs still ongoing. Volunteers had to deal with water pouring into the basement during the recent storm, causing significant damage.
City Manager Troy Warkentin stated that over 100 millimetres of rain also hit neighboring areas such as La Broquerie and Niverville. The province is yet to declare the situation a disaster and approve aid for the affected residents, including those who applied for assistance through the Manitoba Disaster Financial Assistance program.
The city council is considering infrastructure improvements to better handle future storms, as the recent events overwhelmed the existing systems. Plans include expanding drainage infrastructure and enhancing stormwater management to mitigate the impact of severe weather incidents. Residents are advised to take preventive measures such as investing in sump pumps and backflow valves to protect their properties.
Despite ongoing efforts to bolster infrastructure, officials acknowledge that the recent storms were beyond the capacity of the existing systems. The city is preparing for future growth and aims to enhance its resilience against extreme weather events.
Overall, the community remains vigilant in the face of unprecedented weather patterns, emphasizing the need for proactive measures and continuous improvement in disaster preparedness.