Responding to Manitoba Floods

Serving Manitoba Residents Devastated by Floods

• Samaritan’s Purse Canada is supporting the community of Minitonas-Bowsman, in western Manitoba, where devastating floods have damaged approximately 180 homes, washed away roads, and damaged critical infrastructure.
• Samaritan’s Purse Canada has deployed staff, volunteers, and equipment including one of our specially equipped Disaster Relief Units (DRU) to the region.
• We have received 143 work orders to date to support homeowners with mudding out flooded basements and spraying to prevent mold. If you are in the Minitonas-Bowsman area, call our team.
• Join us as we share the love of Jesus by offering tangible help to residents. Volunteers will assist with tasks such as debris removal, mudding-out basements, tearing-out drywall, and sanitization. Learn more.

On June 7, the Municipality of Minitonas-Bowsman in western Manitoba was hit by an extreme rainfall event that dropped approximately 148 millimeters of rain in just a few hours. The rain overwhelmed drainage systems and led to a state of local emergency. Roads have been washed out, critical infrastructure has been damaged, and approximately 180 homes have experienced flooding.

We praise God that no lives were lost during the flooding. Still, an emotional toll has followed, as homeowners return to damaged homes and begin to process their losses.

At the invitation of the municipal government and a local church partner, Samaritan’s Purse Canada has deployed our Disaster Relief Units and specialized recovery personnel to help these hurting residents.

Our teams are equipping and leading volunteers from across Canada to assist homeowners.

“Many families are now facing the impossible task of removing mud and debris, stripping out saturated drywall and insulation, and dealing with ruined furniture and appliances,” said Keith Waara, director of Canadian Disaster Relief. “This is precisely the kind of moment where Samaritan’s Purse Canada, supported by our volunteers and donors, can come alongside people with practical help and the hope of the Gospel.”

Alongside our disaster relief team, Billy Graham Rapid Response Team chaplains from our sister organization, the Billy Graham Evangelistic Association of Canada, will also be deploying. These crisis-trained chaplains will provide emotional and spiritual care to residents, volunteers, and local partners who have been deeply impacted by this disaster.

Thank you for standing together in this important work. Please join us in praying for:

• The people of Minitonas-Bowsman and the surrounding region, who are exhausted and grieving the loss and disruption this flood has caused.
• Wisdom, safety, and stamina for our staff, chaplains, and volunteers as we travel, set up, and begin serving.
• Clear, gracious collaboration with municipal leaders and local churches as we respond together.

Photo credits: Rick Wowchuk

Sharing God’s Help Amid Manitoba Floods

The floodwater that poured into Steve’s home was overwhelming. In mid-June, nearly 150 millimeters of rain fell in just a few hours on the western Manitoba village of Minitonas-Bowsman, about five hours northwest of Winnipeg.

Steve’s house was among approximately 180 that were swamped with as much as six feet of water. The flood affected 99 percent of this hard-working, rural community.

Witness to Destruction

“I had a good cry, like everyone else in the family,” Steve said about witnessing the devastation of his home for the first time alongside his wife and three children. Walls were ruined, furniture soaked, and family possessions destroyed. Steve was in the process of selling his home. Now, he despaired about what to do.

A convoy of Samaritan’s Purse vehicles and Canadian Disaster Relief volunteers arrived in the community shortly after the flood to help in Jesus’ Name. They brought hope for Steve and his family. Our team quickly set up a base at the invitation of the municipality and got to work.

Wading through the mucky aftermath of the floodwater, dedicated volunteers from across Canada—including Alberta, Saskatchewan, Manitoba, Ontario, Nova Scotia, and New Brunswick—cleared waterlogged debris from basements. They washed floors and walls and sprayed a mold-fighting solution to make Steve’s and dozens of other homes ready for repair.

‘No Words Can Explain Your Kindness’

“I’m very appreciative, because otherwise, we’d have to do it ourselves or hire someone, and who knows when that could happen,” said Steve, who was wrestling with a medical condition that prevented him from lifting anything heavy. “Even just walking around is hard,” he shared. “Thank you to all the people who came to help.”

As the volunteers worked, they shared the love of Christ and the Good News of His Son, the Lord Jesus Christ. After work is complete at each house, the volunteers offer to pray with each homeowner and often have an opportunity to present a Bible signed by each team member.

One homeowner wrote in response: “We want to thank you again for your love of reaching out to our community. No words can explain your kindness and love you have shown. Best is that you are doing it to spread the Gospel of hope, which is Jesus, the crucifixion, and His love.”

The Need Is Greater Than Ever Before

Please be praying for the families of Minitonas-Bowsman as they continue to recover, especially as the forecast of more torrential rain raises fears of further flooding. In addition to continued flood recovery work, our teams are also helping the community with sandbagging and trenching to help mitigate the threat.

The need for volunteers is higher than ever before. If you or your church or group can help, please visit our volunteer page to learn more. “For all the law is fulfilled in one word, even in this: ‘You shall love your neighbor as yourself” (Galatians 5:14).