LaVerna Moreland’s weekly routine includes getting an Iced Capp from Timmies for her disabled daughter as a source of motivation for the upcoming weekend in Steinbach, Manitoba. This time, due to a flooded driveway, she had to use a kayak to reach her daughter. Remaining positive, Moreland humorously mentioned that the flooded basement is continuously rising as the rainwater has nowhere to drain.
Southern Manitoba experienced heavy rainfall on Thursday night, resulting in severe flooding in some communities. Steinbach, located about 40 kilometers southeast of Winnipeg, received 135 mm of rain, leading to streets, businesses, and homes being submerged underwater.
Residents like Hayden Parsons found themselves dealing with flooded basements, including Parsons, whose recently renovated basement was affected. This situation is reminiscent of last year when Steinbach faced a similar scenario with 156 mm of rain in a 36-hour period, an event deemed rare by Environment Canada.
Slobodan Simonovic, a climate change expert from Western University, highlighted the increased frequency of extreme weather events due to global warming. He emphasized the importance of improving early warning systems for flash floods and enhancing drainage infrastructure in flood-prone regions like southern Manitoba.
The City of Steinbach reported that drainage systems were overwhelmed during the storm, leading to property damage. Residents were urged to report damages online for potential assistance. Peter Toews expressed the extensive damage to his property, emphasizing the challenges of replacing belongings and damaged carpets.
As Steinbach residents begin the cleanup process following the downpour, the community is assessing the extent of the damage and looking into potential aid from the provincial government.
