Winnipeg, MB - Winnipeg property owners are advised that basement flooding continues to be a risk. The Red River is currently above 17 feet James and is forecasted to stay above 14 feet until mid-July.
High river levels increase the risk of basement flooding across the City. Although basement flooding is a risk any time of the year, the risk increases with high river levels because the sewer system must then rely heavily on flood pumping stations rather than gravity to carry the excess rainfall runoff to the rivers.
City crews working 24/7 to recover from storm
Crews have been working throughout the weekend and Monday and have received the following calls:
- 14 calls related to sewer backup with raw sewage
- 39 calls related to sewer backup with rain water
- 93 calls related to plugged/slow-draining catch basins
- 4 calls related to rain water draining into basements (e.g., rain water pooling next to basement walls/windows)
- 678 calls for downed trees, broken branches and fallen tree limbs on both City and private property. The City operated five aerial lifts to trim trees today, as well as three chippers to clean up affected trees.
In addition, the pumping capacity at two of the City’s 102 pumping stations has been temporarily reduced. The Dumoulin sewage lift and flood pumping station at Dumoulin Street and Tache Avenue was severely damaged last evening due to a fire. The cause of the fire has been identified as accidental (electrical panel failure). As well, the two flood pumps at the Hawthorne sewage lift and flood pumping station on Kildonan Drive in East Kildonan stopped working early this morning.
In both cases, crews responded immediately and set up a temporary pumping system until permanent repairs can be completed. The temporary pumps at Dumoulin are directing all flow to the river to protect homes from basement flooding. Crews are working 24 hours a day, seven days a week to monitor pumping stations.
Steps you can take to protect your home
The following measures can greatly reduce the risk of sewer backup and basement flooding:
- Install a backwater valve and sump pit drainage system
- Check and maintain your backwater valve and sump pit drainage system regularly
- Improve drainage around your house so that water flows away from your basement walls and doesn't pool next to the basement walls or basement windows
Homeowners are also reminded about the Basement Flood Protection Subsidy Program. The program was launched by the Province of Manitoba and the City of Winnipeg in 2011 to help homeowners protect their basements from flooding caused by overloaded sewers during severe weather (e.g., heavy rain, high river levels).
Property owners are reminded it is illegal to drain sump pump water into the basement floor drain or any other part of the house plumbing system, as it can overtax the sewer system and place residents’ basements and their neighbours’ basements at risk of flooding and damage.
More information on basement flood protection and the Basement Flood Protection Subsidy Program is available on the following web pages:
The City advises citizens to be cautious around fast moving rivers and creeks. Boat launches remain closed; boating on Winnipeg bodies of water is not recommended.
To report a fallen tree, residents can contact 311, open 24 hours every day, by phone at 311 or by email at 311@winnipeg.ca.
For information on the current river levels, visit: City of Winnipeg - River Levels.