Steinbach City Council passed a resolution to apply for funding from the Province of Manitoba under the Disaster Financial Assistance (DFA) program following the severe rainstorm that impacted the city on September 16 and 17, 2024. Heavy rain It caused widespread basement flooding and strained the city’s stormwater and sewer systems, prompting the city to seek financial assistance through a state program.

At Tuesday’s council meeting, City Manager Troy Warkentin presented a detailed report outlining the impacts of the storm. Warkentin explained that the city received approximately six inches of rain over a two-day period, with more than three inches falling on the morning of September 17 alone. Heavy rain caused stormwater levels to rise significantly.

“This resulted in the accumulation of significant amounts of rainwater, well above what is seen during normal events,” Warkentin said.

According to the City Manager, Steinbach’s drainage and sewer systems are stretched to their limits. “Due to the amount of rain that fell in a relatively short period of time, the city’s sewers and ditches were operating at capacity or water was spilling onto the banks,” he said. “All City storm drain systems and sanitary sewer systems infrastructure were operating at capacity until the storm ended.”

The report also highlighted the proactive measures the city took in anticipation of heavy rain. The city’s main lift station, which typically operates with automated remote monitoring, was assigned to manage its operations during the storm, Warkentin said.

“The entrances and exits of the main transfer station reached full capacity at 9:40 a.m. on September 17 and returned to normal levels at 9:50 p.m. the same day,” Warkentin said.

Warkentin informed the City that several dozen residents dealing with flooded basements had notified the City directly.

“Based on recent landfill access records, management estimates that up to 100 Steinbach properties from across the city may have experienced some degree of basement flooding,” Warkentin said. “Despite the city’s observations that all stormwater-related systems were fully functional and operating at capacity, unusual and unexpected stormwater volumes often exceeded the design limits of the city’s infrastructure and facilities.”

In response to the impact of the storm, Warkentin confirmed: “The City has been in regular contact with the Manitoba Emergency Measures Organization since the incident regarding the provincial Disaster Financial Assistance program and has made public information about EMO’s storm damage cost recovery program that may be available. “For the property owners affected.”

Warkentin also stated that the City will continue to evaluate the impacts of the storm and will consider lessons learned when planning future infrastructure and development projects.

City Councilwoman Susan Penner echoed Warkentin’s assessment, stating that this rainfall event was not typical for the area.

“In this particular case, everything was working as it should from the city’s perspective. We had too much rain in too short a period of time for our systems to handle it,” Penner noted.

Following the report, Councilwoman Jac Siemens moved to approve the decision to apply for the DFA program, which Councilman Bill Hiebert supported. Hiebert highlighted the financial hardship caused by the flood.

“There are a lot of people who have lost quite a bit of money due to this flood, and I think it’s appropriate for us to put that out there,” Hiebert said, citing the need for state aid.

While the motion to apply for Disaster Financial Assistance was unanimously approved by the council, the city is currently awaiting the next steps in the application process with the state.

“If the Province of Manitoba activates the Disaster Assistance Program for Steinbach, affected property owners will be able to receive assistance,” Warkentin said.

This decision marks an important step in Steinbach’s recovery efforts following one of the heaviest rainfall events in recent memory.