Steinbach’s animal shelter, which relocated to a new facility over two years ago, faces ongoing challenges with evacuating animals due to September flooding. Approximately 200 residents in the southeastern Manitoba city are awaiting news on potential financial assistance from a provincial disaster relief fund following consecutive years of floods.
In 2024, the city endured a significant storm that brought 156 millimetres of rain over September 16-17. This year, the rainfall was even more intense, with 103 millimetres falling in just four hours on September 11-12, ultimately reaching 135 millimetres. Volunteers from Steinbach and Area Animal Rescue had to find temporary homes for 22 animals during the month-long cleanup process.
The organization has already spent $50,000 on overland flooding deductibles in the past two years, with repairs still ongoing. During this year’s rainstorm, water flooded the shelter’s basement, submerging supplies and creating a pool two metres deep.
Apart from the animal shelter, other residents in Steinbach, La Broquerie, and Niverville also suffered from the heavy rains. The city manager, Troy Warkentin, revealed that around 200 individuals have applied for aid through the Manitoba Disaster Financial Assistance program, but the province has yet to declare the flood a disaster.
Efforts to improve infrastructure are underway, including plans to enhance the stormwater system and drainage infrastructure to cope with future heavy downpours. Despite these measures, the city remains vulnerable to extreme weather events like the ones experienced in the past two Septembers.