The mayor of a Manitoba city under a state of emergency due to overland floods believes the worst of the flooding is over.
The City of Dauphin declared a state of local emergency on Wednesday due to unprecedented rainfall. More than 115 millimetres have fallen since Sunday, and the Vermillion River breached its banks, causing additional overland flooding and road closures.
“There are still people dealing with sewer backups and water seepage into basements; our sewer system was inundated and overwhelmed, and so we’re still hoping that people will reduce water use and continue with the cleanup,” Mayor David Bosiak said during an interview with CTV Your Morning Winnipeg on Thursday morning.
“But it looks like we’re on the back end of this and it’s more cleanup now than anything else.”
Bosiak said it appears the water is receding and travelling to Lake Dauphin. The Dauphin Regional Health Centre was evacuated, with patients moved to other hospitals.
‘Overwhelming’ support
Bosiak added he is impressed with how the community has been coming together to help.
“An overwhelming amount of people were out and about, helping their neighbours, helping strangers,” he said. “We had a tremendous response from the Office of the Fire Commissioner and the local aid; many fire departments from primarily south of Riding Mountain National Park were in the community, helping, going door to door in our northeast end of the community to make sure that everyone was safe.
“So, you know, it’s unfortunate during disasters, but sometimes that brings out the best in people.”
The flooding in Dauphin prompted the evacuation of the city’s hospital, including a flooded basement, and impacted the HVAC system and computer network.
The province said 54 patients were moved from the hospital to Brandon and other facilities in the area, and a temporary urgent care centre is being set up at the Dauphin Medical Clinic to address medical emergencies in the interim.
“Everyone’s number one priority is patient safety and well-being and making sure that the continuity of care is consistent and clear for patients and their families,” Health Minister Uzoma Asagwara said on Thursday.
Asagwara said Shared Health and other regional partners will provide regular updates on where people can go for care and when the Dauphin hospital will reopen.
Bosiak urged people to follow Premier Wab Kinew’s advice and avoid using roads and shelter in place until authorities deem it safe.
With files from CTV’s Harrison Shin and Rachel Lagace
