Inside City Hall - Dealing With Climate Change: Managing The Impact of Prairie Rains

When the calendar flips to June, Prairie Provinces brace themselves for the annual risk of extreme weather which can bring intense rain events. Historically, this precipitation has nourished crops and replenished reservoirs. However, in recent years, climate change has altered this familiar pattern, turning those rains into torrential downpours. Just ask Winkler residents where locals saw more than 75 millimeters of rain in only a few hours on Canada Day. Let's explore how these changes impact Brandon.  

The Changing Landscape  

In 2020, 2021, and 2023, Brandon was hit by heavy rain events that put a strain on its infrastructure. Streets flooded, basements filled with water, cars were stalled, and businesses faced the consequences. The city's storm water collection system, which was established decades ago, finds it challenging to manage such surges of water in specific areas of our city. But why? The answer lies in the storm water collection system – a network of pipes, culverts, ponds, and channels that handles storm water. Intense rainfall can cause water to accumulate before it’s absorbed into the storm water collection system, causing backups on roads and yards. Consequently, our systems are overwhelmed and cannot effectively keep up with the movement of water. 

Overcapacity and Upgrades  

Climate change adds to the difficulty of handling an overstrained storm water collection system by increasing the likelihood of severe rainfall events. As temperatures rise, so does the risk of extreme precipitation events. To address this, the city’s current and future storm water collection system will be designed to create relief. The City of Brandon has embarked on a long-term initiative to upgrade critical storm water collection areas, primarily in the south and southeastern sections of the city. 

Emergency Preparedness  

Brandon's emergency response system remains vigilant. With the increased risk of intense rain events, several steps have been taken to enhance our ability to be better prepared. These steps include regular inspections of areas of concern and proactive pump placement in flood-prone zones to mitigate risk to homes and businesses. We continue to look at opportunities to inform residents on the risks of overland flooding via social media.  

Subsidies and Programs for Individual Preparedness  

The City's Flood Protection Subsidy Program encourages residents to install sump pumps, while the Residential Rain Garden Program promotes sustainable landscaping to manage excess water right on your property. 

What Lies Ahead  

With ongoing climate change impacts, we encourage residents and businesses to take the necessary steps to prepare for these extreme rain events.  In this ever-changing climate, let's continue to adapt, mitigate, and work together to weather the storms. Our Prairie rains may be fierce, but the steadfast resilience of the people of Brandon remains unmatched.