Brandon residents whose homes were damaged by the June 29, 2026 rainstorm can now apply for financial help from the province. The Disaster Financial Assistance program, run by the Manitoba Emergency Management Organization, covers uninsurable losses from the heavy rain event that overwhelmed city streets.
On June 29, the city was hit with 80.9 mm of rain in just a few hours, with 78.3 mm falling in a three-hour stretch, according to Environment Canada. The downpour flooded streets and swamped basements, prompting the city to declare a state of emergency on July 5 as the Assiniboine River kept rising.
Residents who need help paying for repairs that their insurance won’t cover have 90 days from the program’s announcement to apply. To qualify, people must first contact their insurance provider and then claim only the portion that isn’t covered. The program sets a deductible of $2,500 or 20% of costs, whichever is higher, and caps payouts at $2.4 million per individual.
The City of Brandon is urging anyone with damage to document everything thoroughly: take photos, save receipts, and check what your insurance will pay before applying for government aid. “While there are currently no evacuation orders in place, we are taking a proactive approach to ensure the safety of residents and to maintain essential municipal services,” Mayor Jeff Fawcett said in a statement.
Premier Wab Kinew has committed $5 million to the DFA program to help municipalities manage recovery costs and stabilize their budgets. Meanwhile, the Assiniboine River is expected to reach its peak between July 12 and 15 at about 1,183 feet above sea level, roughly two feet lower than the 2014 flood peak. River levels in most parts of Manitoba are starting to drop, but Brandon has not seen the crest yet.
