The city of Brandon, Manitoba is working against the clock to strengthen its flood defenses as the Assiniboine River continues to rise, with water levels expected to reach their highest point around July 13. Mayor Jeff Fawcett has confirmed that the river could climb by seven to eight feet, more than two metres, posing a significant challenge for the community.
City crews are deploying multiple flood protection measures, including traditional sandbags, large-scale ‘super sandbags,’ and tube-style ‘Tiger Dam’ barriers to protect homes and infrastructure. The mayor noted that the city’s existing dike system is providing protection for most residents, representing a significant improvement over historical flood responses that relied heavily on manual sandbagging efforts.
While no evacuation order has been issued yet, authorities are preparing for the possibility that between 4,000 and 5,000 residents may need to temporarily leave their homes when the river reaches its peak. Fawcett encouraged residents in potentially affected areas to prepare emergency go bags containing important documents, medications, clothing, and other essential items. Only one home is currently expected to require evacuation when water levels reach their maximum.
The province has issued a favorable weather forecast, with no significant precipitation expected in the coming days. This dry spell should help water levels decline on most waterways and allow recovery efforts to progress in affected areas. Brandon declared a 30-day flood-related state of local emergency over the weekend, which has enabled the city to access additional provincial resources. Despite the challenging situation, Mayor Fawcett expressed confidence in the city’s preparedness, stating that officials are controlling everything possible while remaining ready to adapt to unexpected developments.
