‘Get big quick’: Brandon declares state of emergency

The City of Brandon declared a state of emergency over the weekend as a proactive measure for potential flood conditions.

The second-largest city in Manitoba has declared a state of local emergency.

In a media release Saturday evening, the city said the declaration was in response to the anticipated flood conditions, resulting from significant rainfall throughout the Assiniboine and Shellmouth River basins and continued increases in forecasted river levels.

“Provincial flood forecasts indicate that water levels on the Assiniboine River are expected to begin rising in the coming days, with peak flows anticipated near July 12,” the release read.

The declaration will allow the city to have “additional authority and flexibility to respond quickly to evolving conditions, protect critical infrastructure, safeguard property and ensure public safety in a proactive manner,” according to the release.

“We know what’s coming, we’ve been through these sort of things before, it gives us the ability to act quick should things change because weather is very temperamental to say the least,” Brandon Mayor Jeff Fawcett told CTV News Sunday morning.

One of the additional authorities the city is now allowed to have is to bring in the private sector to the flood prevention operation, Fawcett said.

“We need to top up with some clay on top of the dikes – not significant amounts, but we’re going to get inside that two feet with the forecast on a number of spots.

“It does give us access to some of the yards in areas if we need to. Right now we wouldn’t, but we know very well that the river runs all through the city and should we need to on very, very short notice, we now will be able to do that.”

Flood protection measures – such as the temporary dike closure at Grand Valley Road and 18th Street on Friday – have already been completed as part of an ongoing preparation.

Fawcett said another plug – like on Grand Valley Road and 18th Street – will probably take place for Conservation Drive, which hosts the Riverbank Discovery Centre; although the scale won’t be as equal as the Grand Valley Road and 18th Street’s.

“Most of it, is going to be in the recreation areas – the soccer fields, the golf course.”

‘Get big quick’

As of Sunday morning, the Assiniboine River at Brandon’s 18th Street reached 1,176.04 feet in level, according to the province’s river conditions and forecasts map.

According to the forecast graph, the peak is expected to occur between July 11 and 14, with levels between 1,182.7 and 1,184.1 feet.

“Best case scenario, water doesn’t end up reaching certain areas at all and we were happy to take the criticism that ‘oh, you did too much, it didn’t happen.’ The numbers are looking like it wouldn’t top where we need to top up, but we’re going to take all the measures,” Fawcett said.

“Our history and theory on emergency systems like this, is ‘get big quick.’”

2011’s historic flood, and now

During the 2011 historic flood, Brandon was one of the hardest-hit municipalities, battling it for months. The flood made the city’s portion of the Assiniboine River “nearly seven metres higher and 20 to 30 times wider than normal in some places,” according to the province.

The 2011 flood led to evacuations mainly because lift stations in the city’s wastewater system were overwhelmed, Fawcett said, and those systems have since been replaced.

“We monitor all those things, but that evacuation that had to take place in 2011 shouldn’t occur because of the systems that are now in place.”

The city’s emergency operation centre is fully activated and coordinating flood response with municipal departments, provincial agencies, emergency services and local partners.

It is asking residents to continue checking official communication channels and to stay vigilant.

Officials are also asking residents to:

• Stay away from the dike system and all closed trails, parks, pathways and riverbank areas;
• Respect all barricades, closures and warning signs;
• Avoid driving or walking through flooded areas; and
• Be prepared for potential disruptions in case weather or flood conditions get worse.

Numerous flood response and preparation actions, such as deploying flood response resources and coordinating with emergency services, are ongoing. The city will assess conditions daily and update the public as new information comes in.

Brandon is the second-largest city in Manitoba, located about 200 kilometres west of Winnipeg with about 51,000 residents.