Dauphin’s mayor expressed that he has witnessed numerous significant floods impacting the western Manitoba city throughout his life, but none have been as severe as the current flooding. Mayor David Bosiak mentioned to CBC News that this recent flooding event is among the worst seen in Dauphin from a city perspective. On Wednesday, a local state of emergency was declared in Dauphin due to escalating flooding following heavy rainfall in the province’s Parkland region earlier this week.
The city experienced approximately 115 millimetres of rainfall since Sunday night, described by municipal officials in a Facebook post as an unprecedented amount of water. Last month, Dauphin recorded over 211 millimetres of rainfall, making June 2026 the city’s second-wettest June on record, slightly below the record set in 1953.
Further rainfall was anticipated in Dauphin on Wednesday, with a forecast from Environment and Climate Change Canada indicating a 60 percent chance of showers and potential thunderstorms in the late afternoon and early evening. Mayor Bosiak mentioned that the Vermillion River likely peaked around noon on Wednesday, causing flooding at Vermillion Park and subsequent water flow towards the city’s north end.
The lower north end of the city experienced significant overland flooding and basement damage, with city crews addressing basement and street flooding in the northeast corner. Various businesses along Main Street reported basement flooding, and residents at an apartment building near the river were displaced from their units due to flooding. Additionally, homeowners with damaged electrical panels from basement flooding were also displaced.
Amid the emergency situation, Mayor Bosiak emphasized the importance of staying at home, looking after one’s property, and assisting neighbors, urging residents to avoid unnecessary travel to prevent endangering themselves and emergency crews. Premier Wab Kinew echoed these sentiments, advising residents in the Parkland region to refrain from unnecessary travel to avoid potential hazards, as numerous roads have been closed due to flooding.
The ongoing flooding prompted the evacuation of patients from Dauphin Regional Health Centre, where floodwaters affected essential facilities. The provincial government announced the availability of $5 million in funding to assist municipalities with immediate financial needs, providing relief until potential disaster financial assistance is accessed. The Manitoba government had previously introduced the disaster financial assistance program following flooding last month.
Dauphin’s declaration of a state of emergency aligned with similar actions taken by neighboring municipalities, aiming to facilitate emergency response coordination and resource allocation. The severity of the flooding event led to 30 states of local emergency being declared, underscoring the widespread impact on the region. Residents were urged to shelter in place until conditions improve, and caution was advised regarding road travel to prevent exacerbating the situation.
