Home / Disasters and Accidents / Manitoba Floods Devastate Interlake; Homes and Farms Underwater
Manitoba Floods Devastate Interlake; Homes and Farms Underwater
15 Jun
Summary
- Stonewall received 255 millimetres of rain in seven hours, causing a local state of emergency.
- Strawberry farms face crop loss, with 70,000 plants submerged by floodwaters.
- Many residents discover overland flood coverage was removed from their insurance policies.
Communities across Manitoba's Interlake region are facing extensive damage and emotional distress following devastating flash floods. Stonewall experienced a state of local emergency after receiving an unprecedented 255 millimetres of rainfall in a seven-hour period on June 9. The surrounding RM of Rockwood, encompassing several towns, also declared an emergency.
Local businesses, such as Boonstra Farms, have reported approximately 70,000 strawberry plants submerged, jeopardizing the season's crop. Residents like Tara Richardson in Stony Mountain described losing furniture, appliances, and facing up to $50,000 in damages to their homes. The situation is particularly dire as many homeowners are learning that overland flood coverage was removed from their insurance policies years ago.
The provincial disaster financial assistance program is available for essential needs, though it does not cover full replacement costs. Meanwhile, a sinkhole caused by the heavy rains forced the closure of a stretch of Highway 7, which has since reopened. The ongoing recovery efforts highlight the profound impact of the extreme weather on the Interlake communities.
