🌊 Brandon Under State of Local Emergency
Brandon remains under a state of local emergency as the Assiniboine River is expected to crest around July 12, reaching roughly two and a half metres above normal. Mayor Jeff Fawcett says crews are prepared for next steps if needed, adding it’s business as usual as the declaration is a proactive measure. Minnedosa and Sioux Valley Dakota Nation have also declared emergencies as southwestern Manitoba braces for potential flooding.
🌪️ Tornado Alerts and Large Hail
Multiple tornado warnings were sent to mobile devices Sunday night, though no official tornado reports have been confirmed in the Brandon area. A severe thunderstorm carved a swath of golf‑ball to baseball‑sized hail across Boissevain and Killarney shortly after 6 p.m.
⚡ Storms Cause Widespread Power Outages
Strong storms overnight knocked out power to more than 4,000 Manitoba Hydro customers from Brandon to Boissevain, dropping to about 1,000 outages as of 11 a.m. Hydro says high winds snapped lines and poles, and crews continue working to restore service safely and quickly.
🚧 Flooding Escalates Near St. Lazare
Flooding near St. Lazare continues to worsen as the Assiniboine River overtops its banks, impacting fields and infrastructure and forcing detours via Russell due to the closure of Highway 41 and the Assiniboine bridge. Residents, especially those beyond the railway tracks, are urged to stay alert for rapidly changing conditions.
🛡️ Canada’s Priorities at the NATO Summit
At the NATO Summit, Canada is expected to highlight increased defence spending, stronger military capabilities, and continued support for Ukraine. Prime Minister Carney will also emphasize Canada’s expanding defence role in Europe, Arctic security, and future international partnerships. (Please confirm political details with a trusted source.)
🚨 Swan River Awaits Federal Support Decision
After days of washed‑out roads and evacuations, Swan River is still waiting to hear whether Ottawa will approve the military support requested late last week. Local crews remain stretched as cleanup continues, and residents hope additional help arrives soon.
🦟 Brandon Mosquito Count Delayed
Brandon still hasn’t released its next mosquito trap count, with no set schedule for when numbers will land. Crews are likely delayed by recent storms and flooding. With no fixed monitoring timetable, the next nuisance count will only be posted once the weather‑delayed collection cycle is finished, while the province’s latest West Nile update shows zero positive mosquitoes so far this season.
🎓 Leadership Change at Brandon School Division
Mathew Gustafson has retired as Brandon School Division superintendent after guiding the division through pandemic disruptions, rapid enrolment growth, and ongoing capacity challenges. He is succeeded by Jon Zilkey, a Manitoba educator with 30 years of experience and deep roots in the Westman region.
⚽ Balogun Cleared to Play After Suspension Lifted
U.S. forward Folarin Balogun will be eligible to play tonight against Belgium after FIFA lifted the one‑game suspension he received following a red card in Wednesday’s win over Bosnia‑Herzegovina. The decision drew praise from President Donald Trump and criticism from the Belgian camp.
