A state of emergency was declared in western Manitoba after the area was hit by severe rain and hail, prompting concerns over flooding. The storm, which swept through southwestern Manitoba on July 6, 2026, left a trail of destruction, with farmers and residents describing the damage as catastrophic.
Hail destroys crops, floods fields
“It’s obliterated,” said local farmer John Derksen, standing in a field of flattened wheat. “We had a good crop coming, and now it’s gone. Hailstones the size of golf balls came down for 20 minutes. There’s nothing left.” Derksen estimated that 90% of his wheat and canola crops were destroyed, a loss of hundreds of thousands of dollars. Many other farmers in the region reported similar devastation, with some fields completely submerged under floodwater.
The storm dumped up to 100 millimetres of rain in some areas within a few hours, overwhelming drainage systems and causing rivers to swell. The municipality of Brenda-Waskada declared a state of emergency late July 6, urging residents to avoid travel and stay away from flooded roads. Emergency crews were deployed to sandbag vulnerable areas and assist with evacuations in low-lying neighborhoods.
Residents describe terrifying night
“I’ve never seen anything like it,” said Melinda Chartrand, a resident of Waskada. “The hail was so loud we thought the roof would cave in. Then the water started rising in the basement. We were up all night pumping water out, but it just kept coming.” Chartrand’s basement was flooded with over a meter of water, destroying furniture, appliances, and family heirlooms. She and her husband were forced to stay with neighbors after their home was deemed unsafe.
Local officials reported that several homes and farm buildings sustained structural damage from the hail, which broke windows and dented siding. “We are assessing the full extent of the damage, but it’s clear that many families will need support to recover,” said Reeve Dale Moffat of the Municipality of Two Borders. “Our priority is ensuring everyone is safe and has a place to stay tonight.”
Provincial government responds
Manitoba’s Minister of Emergency Management, Reg Helwer, said the province is monitoring the situation and will provide assistance if needed. “We are in contact with local authorities and are ready to deploy resources, including sandbags and pumps, to help communities manage the flooding,” Helwer said in a statement. “We encourage all residents to follow evacuation orders and stay safe.”
The storm comes as Manitoba has experienced above-average rainfall this spring, leaving fields saturated and increasing the risk of flooding. The Agricultural Producers Association of Manitoba said it is compiling damage reports from farmers and will advocate for disaster relief programs. “This is a devastating blow for many farm families who were already facing high input costs,” said association president Jill Verwey. “We need the provincial and federal governments to step up with support.”
Environment Canada had issued severe thunderstorm warnings for the region earlier in the day, but the intensity of the storm caught many off guard. Meteorologist David Phillips said the storm was fueled by a collision of warm, moist air from the Gulf of Mexico with a cold front from the Rockies. “These conditions can produce explosive thunderstorms with large hail and torrential rain,” Phillips said. “Unfortunately, this area got the worst of it.”
As of July 7, cleanup efforts were underway, but many roads remained impassable due to flooding and debris. The state of emergency is expected to remain in effect for several days as communities assess the damage and begin recovery.
