Military members, volunteers arrive to assess Swan River flooding

Canadian Armed Forces members and volunteers from a veteran-led aid organization visited flood-hit homes in Swan River on Wednesday, while the federal government’s response to the week-old disaster began to fall into place.

Mayor Lance Jacobson said the personnel joined provincial staff to conduct assessments and learn more about flood victims’ needs in neighbourhoods that were underwater a few days ago.

“They went house-to-house in these areas to find out exactly what people are needing,” he said.

Dozens of homes flooded when the rain-swollen Swan River and other streams overflowed in Parkland June 30. Premier Wab Kinew requested federal help the next day.

Two days later, federal Emergency Management Minister Eleanor Olszewski said a small team of CAF members and Team Rubicon Canada volunteers would be deployed. Some CAF members and a Team Rubicon liaison began assessments Saturday.

The military’s tasks include logistical assistance and resource co-ordination.

Nine more members of veteran-led Team Rubicon arrived Wednesday to conduct assessments in Swan River and the Municipality of Swan Valley West. A larger team of volunteers will likely be tasked with removing debris and clearing basements once on the ground.

“There are a lot of things now starting to happen, and we will start to see some of those (volunteers) deploying here in the next few days,” Jacobson said.

“We’re hoping that we can get them rolling along in full duty on Saturday or Sunday, but it will take them a little bit of time to get these people deployed from across the country.”

Accommodations will be sourced for them. A command centre will be set up.

Earlier Wednesday, Jacobson said he was frustrated by the pace of Ottawa’s response, while he waited for an update on timelines and the work that will be done.

“(Homeowners) are trying to clean up and it’s painstaking, this kind of work they’re doing. We needed these people to be mobilized Monday,” he said prior to the update. “It’s somewhat disappointing how slow this (federal response) has actually been.”

Afterward, Jacobson said he felt “much better” knowing help was on the way for residents, town staff and other volunteers, who are exhausted.

“We still have a long way to go when we talk about the recovery,” he said.

Jacobson said he hopes eligible residents begin to receive disaster financial assistance soon to support rebuilding efforts.

The town and other areas in Parkland flooded in early June before another surge at the end of the month.

Swan Valley West Reeve Bill Gade said most homeowners have already emptied their basements of damaged belongings.

Team Rubicon members could assist flood victims with mould mitigation in their basements, he said.

“I’m sure when they do get here there will be plenty for them to help with,” Gade said.

Mathis Denis, a spokesperson for Olszewski, said Team Rubicon’s staffing levels will be determined by local and provincial officials who are leading the response.

“The federal government continues to work actively to support the Manitoba-led response and recovery efforts,” Denis wrote in an email.

Team Rubicon Canada CEO Mischa Kaplan said he understands frustrations regarding the pace of the response, which he described as a large, complex effort involving multiple organizations. He acknowledged it can sometimes take longer than residents want.

“From what we’re seeing, this is a fairly typical response time,” Kaplan said.

This week’s reconnaissance work will help to determine communities’ needs and what Team Rubicon can do to fill those needs, he said. It’s not yet known how many volunteers will arrive.

Kaplan said Team Rubicon is focusing on the Swan River area because it’s where the greatest need was identified, but the door isn’t closed on helping other communities.

The provincial Office of the Fire Commissioner, in conjunction with the Manitoba Emergency Management Organization, is leading ground operations with the CAF and Team Rubicon.

Other non-profit organizations, including Christian Aid Ministries and Samaritan’s Purse, began assisting Parkland residents after the flooding in early June.

The province said water levels on most rivers and creeks have peaked and are receding after heavy rains led to widespread flooding in western and southern Manitoba. Brandon, Minnedosa and Sioux Valley Dakota Nation are among those bracing for rivers to crest.

The Assiniboine is expected to peak in Brandon on July 13, Mayor Jeff Fawcett told reporters.

He said evacuation notices will be provided to about 4,000 to 5,000 residents as information only to help them prepare in case an evacuation order is necessary.

Fawcett stressed the notices are precautionary, while he encouraged those residents to pack an emergency “go bag” — containing personal identification, other essential documents, prescribed medication (if applicable), clothing and phone chargers — in case they have to leave.

Those with pets should pack supplies or make plans for their animals, he said.

Brandon is expecting the Assiniboine to rise up to 2.4 metres (eight feet) from Wednesday’s level.

“Levels are expected to remain near peak for a few days before beginning to recede gradually,” Fawcett said.

The province projected a peak of up to 360.73 metres, below the record peak of 361.28 metres in 2014, as of Tuesday.

As for Brandon’s state of readiness, Fawcett said he has a “high level of confidence in the sense that we do have the infrastructure in place.”

Most homes in Brandon are within the city’s diking system, parts of which are being topped up. Fawcett said Tiger Dams, which are water-filled tubes, and giant sandbags are being set up in some spots to provide additional protection.

In Minnedosa, about 45 km north of Brandon, flood protection was increased by almost half a metre (1.5 feet) Tuesday based on the latest projections for the Little Saskatchewan River, the town said in a statement.

Additional sandbags and giant sandbags were placed in low-lying areas.

chris.kitching@freepress.mb.ca