Brandon, Manitoba, has declared a State of Local Emergency as the Assiniboine River swells toward levels not seen since the devastating 2014 flood. Mayor Jeff Fawcett and city council made the call during a special meeting on July 4, 2026, aiming to get ahead of water expected to peak around July 12.
The City of Brandon says provincial forecasts show the river rising to roughly 2.5 metres above its banks, putting it in moderate flood stage and comparable to the historic 2014 flood that caused more than $1 billion in damages. Heavy rainfall across the Assiniboine and Shellmouth River basins pushed conditions to this point—Brandon alone recorded over 50 millimetres of rain on Monday, and areas like Swan River saw more than 107 millimetres in just days.
No evacuation orders are in place, and officials stress the emergency declaration is a proactive step. “We’re going to have to get things done quickly, just to make sure, in case worst case scenarios show up,” Fawcett said. The move gives the city extra authority and flexibility to respond as conditions change.
Crews have already finished a temporary dike closure at Grand Valley Road and 18th Street, and work is underway to raise other dikes about 60 centimetres above the forecast peak—a safety buffer against waves, wind, or sudden surges. Sandbagging operations are ongoing at spots like the Wheat City Golf Course and Canada Packers Sports Field. The city’s Emergency Operations Centre is fully activated, coordinating with provincial agencies and emergency services.
Residents are being told to stay off dikes, closed trails, parks, and riverbank areas, and to respect all barricades and warning signs. Meanwhile, the federal government has approved Canadian Armed Forces personnel to help with logistics in the Parkland region, where flooding has also hit hard.
For Fawcett, this is the third state of emergency tied to river levels during his time in office. The city’s permanent flood protection, built after the 2011 flood, helped during the 2014 crisis and is now being reinforced ahead of the coming peak. Officials say they’re ready to act if the situation worsens, but for now, the focus is on preparation.
