As you are aware, Environment Canada issued a Rainfall Warning for Winnipeg and Southern Manitoba with precipitation continuing today. The Province of Manitoba have warned that the current system will bring overland flooding and it has.
I am receiving calls, emails, and messages from concerned residents in our community. I have been engaged in conversations with some of my colleagues, who are experiencing issues in their areas and I contacted the City of Winnipeg CAO.
When I communicated with Michael Jack, CAO, regarding the growing concerns of residents. Officials told me that a number of factors are overwhelming our land drainage systems in some areas:
Late thaw resulting in above average amount of frozen ground for this time of year
Already saturated soil
Extreme and prolonged precipitation
Crews from Water and Waste and from Public Works are working on a 24/7 basis to address all situations being reported.
Residents are telling me about the long waits on 311, two to three hours in some cases and I apologize. I have been informed more 311 and overtime is being initiated to reduce the delays.
I appreciate the frustration and stress these events cause. I urge you to email 311 at 311@winnipeg.ca to file your complaint and copy me using my city address KKlein@winnipeg.ca. I will then have the ability to follow up on the case number on your behalf.
I strongly suggest you provide photos of the situation when you send the email. A picture says a thousand words and one or two is sufficient.
Steaming crews are also out melting frozen catch basins to improve drainage. Spot a street with standing water? Please report it immediately using this online form: https://forms.winnipeg.ca/form/auto/pw_st_frcatchbasin_vof?locale=en.
The city has sandbags for residents to pick up from city yards to protect homes. Learn more at https://winnipeg.ca/waterandwaste/flood/basementOverland.stm
Unfortunately, the weather event will bring a more precipitation, but warmer temperatures are expected to begin Tuesday and improve throughout the week. The Environment Canada forecast can be found by clicking here.