Brandon's Flood Emergency
Brandon Declares Emergency Due to Assiniboine River Flood Threat, Bolstering Defenses.
Key Points
Brandon is implementing targeted, concrete dike height increases, including raising some sections by about two feet above the forecast peak water level and reinforcing the dike system near key river access points such as a temporary dike across Grand Valley Road west of 18th Street N.
Provincial support is planned in the form of flood-control equipment, with the province indicating it can provide tube dams and sandbags if needed to bolster Brandon’s defenses.
Temporary dike closures have already been implemented as part of preparedness, including closures at Grand Valley Road and 18th Street, as part of ongoing flood protection measures.
Mayor Jeff Fawcett notes this is the third time he has declared a state of emergency due to river conditions, underscoring the repeated challenges Brandon faces with flood management.
The City of Brandon, Manitoba's second-largest city, declared a state of local emergency as the Assiniboine River threatens to spill over its banks, with water levels forecast to peak around July 12, according to CTV News. Mayor Jeff Fawcett called the measures precautionary, stressing that no evacuation orders are in place — but warned residents to stay away from river areas.
It marks the third time Mayor Fawcett has declared a state of emergency over river conditions, underscoring how repeatedly Brandon has battled flooding, Global News reported. The declaration gives the city extra legal authority to speed up flood response and protect key infrastructure.
Dikes Going Up as River Keeps Rising
Crews have already built a temporary dike across Grand Valley Road west of 18th Street North, Daily Guardian reported. They plan to raise sections of the dike system by about two feet above the forecast peak water level. Road closures at Grand Valley Road and 18th Street are already in effect as part of flood prep.
The province has offered to send tube dams and sandbags if Brandon needs more support, according to Global News. Tube dams work like long, water-filled barriers that hold back floodwaters. City crews are coordinating closely with provincial agencies to decide if and when that extra equipment gets deployed.
Heavy Rainfall Pushes Assiniboine and Shellmouth Basins Toward Peak
Significant rainfall across the Assiniboine and Shellmouth river basins triggered the emergency response, CTV News reported. Water levels are expected to climb to near-record highs, with the forecast peak set for around July 12. The river has already begun to spill its banks in some spots, according to Head Topics.
Brandon sits west of Winnipeg and lies directly in the path of Assiniboine River flooding. The Shellmouth basin, which feeds into the Assiniboine, has also seen elevated water levels. Together, these conditions pushed city officials to act fast — the mayor described the approach as 'get big quick,' per CTV News.
Emergency Operations Centre Runs Full Response Effort
Brandon's Emergency Operations Centre is fully activated and coordinating with provincial agencies and emergency services, The Globe and Mail reported. The city has also sent both declarations — the state of emergency and the local emergency — to the provincial government for formal enactment.
Travel in and out of Brandon is not affected by the declarations, officials confirmed. Mayor Fawcett urged residents to follow safety directions and avoid the river. The city is watching water levels closely and will update the public as conditions change ahead of the July 12 peak.
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