Stonewall residents are pulling together after a massive rainstorm on June 9, 2026, dumped roughly 255 millimetres of water on the community, overwhelming sewers and flooding basements across the town of about 5,000 people. The Town of Stonewall declared a local state of emergency on June 11, and a town notice called “Stonewall Strong” praised the volunteers who have stepped up to help neighbours with cleanup.
Mayor Sandra Smith called the rainfall “unprecedented” and said the last time the town saw overland flooding like this was in 2010, but this event is far worse. The sheer amount of water in a seven-hour span was too much for the local drainage system, and it damaged access roads to the lagoon facilities and the entrance to Quarry Park.
Many residents are finding out their home insurance doesn’t cover overland flooding or sewer backups, leaving them with repair bills that could reach tens of thousands of dollars. Manitoba Premier Wab Kinew visited Stonewall on June 11 and announced a provincewide disaster financial assistance program to help people pay for damage that isn’t covered by private insurance.
Local businesses and volunteers have been quick to respond. The Stonewall United Church basement flooded, which put a temporary stop to daycare services and worship activities, but businesses like Home Hardware and Big Block Auto stayed open late to sell sump pumps and other supplies to help residents protect their homes.
The town is urging anyone who needs help with debris removal or cleanup to reach out and get connected with available support services. More information is available through the Town of Stonewall’s local notices webpage.
