The Manitoba government has declined to provide disaster relief to Steinbach residents who experienced significant rainfall in a single night last September. The city council was informed by the province that their application to the Disaster Financial Assistance program, representing approximately 200 property owners, was rejected. According to a provincial spokesperson, the denial was due to most of the reported damages being insurable, and the event not causing widespread damage to essential assets or services.
In response, the Steinbach city council has raised queries about the qualifying criteria for assistance from the province. Mayor Earl Funk emphasized the importance of supporting residents and improving infrastructure to address such challenges. Despite facing 103 millimetres of rain in just four hours and a total of 135 millimetres over the period, which surpasses the area’s average monthly rainfall, the city was denied disaster funding for a similar incident the previous year.
Councilor Susan Penner, who experienced flooding in her basement during both events, expressed disappointment over the denial of disaster aid. She highlighted the real impact on individuals and emphasized the need for compassion in such situations. The prevalence of extreme weather events, as noted by the Insurance Bureau of Canada, is influencing insurance coverage and costs, prompting a reevaluation of flood protection approaches by insurance companies.
The spokesperson for the province encouraged homeowners to explore insurance coverage options, emphasizing that property and neighborhood-level mitigation measures could enhance insurability. Despite the city’s efforts to meet the criteria for assistance, Mayor Funk expressed frustration at the repeated denials and stressed the importance of supporting the affected residents.
Steinbach is undertaking major sewer infrastructure upgrades to enhance water management capabilities, including doubling the capacity of pipes and expanding lift stations. The city aims to improve resilience and protect communities from future weather-related challenges.
