Winnipeg, MB – Crews continue to clear and remove downed trees and fallen branches city-wide, aided by contractors and crews from other Canadian municipalities. Crews from the City of Regina arrived yesterday, while crews from the City of Saskatoon are anticipated to arrive today.
Residents are reminded to be mindful of crews working on roadways. If a tree is blocking a roadway, or if crews are on a roadway working, please refrain from driving through the site and do not drive around them on medians or boulevards.
Residents are also reminded to not park adjacent to failed trees and large limbs that are still attached to the tree so that crews can access them.
Reporting Downed Trees
Residents are advised that if a tree is in contact with a power line, to call 911 immediately.
If a tree is blocking a public right-of-way including a road or sidewalk, but isn’t touching a power line, residents are advised to call 311.
If a tree on public property has fallen, but not touching a power line or blocking the road, contact 311 online.
It’s important that residents provide as much accurate detail as possible when providing information, including pictures if available, so that service requests can be properly triaged.
Once a request has been made, it is logged. We are asking residents to only make one request per location – please do not contact us for a follow-up, the location has been logged and we will get to the location as soon as possible.
Privately Owned Trees
Fallen trees or branches that have failed on private property are the responsibility of the property owner to clean up. However, residents are advised to contact 911 if the tree is in contact with a power line.
Residents are reminded to exercise extreme caution if addressing fallen trees or branches that have fallen on private property.
Do not leave fallen trees or branches from private property on the public boulevard. Instead, residents are advised to bring tree and branch debris to the Brady Road Resource Management Facility or to one of the City’s 4R Winnipeg Depots to dispose of them free of charge during operating hours.
Residents can also place small tree branches and other debris in their yard waste collection. For more information on yard waste parameters, please see: City of Winnipeg – Yard Waste Collection.
Moving Firewood
The Forest Health Protection Act and Regulations prohibit the storage of elm wood for any purpose. The restriction on the storage of elm wood is necessary as the elm bark beetle uses intact wood as a site to lay eggs and develop a new generation of elm bark beetles. For more information, see: City of Winnipeg – Dutch Elm Disease.
Residents are advised to dispose of ash trees directly to the Brady Road Resource Management Facility or to one of the City’s 4R Winnipeg Depots. No ash tree material is to be transported outside city limits in accordance with federal regulation related to emerald ash borer. For more information, see: City of Winnipeg – Emerald Ash Borer.
Tipping Fees
The City is waiving tipping fees at the Brady Road Resource Management Facility for commercial haulers transporting storm-related wood debris only.
River Flooding Update
River levels have begun to increase at the James Avenue gauge as a result of the recent precipitation/snowfall. As of 12:28 p.m. today, the river level at the James Avenue gauge was 15.57 feet.
At this time, there are no properties at risk of river flooding.
The City will continue to monitor weather conditions and river levels to determine required flood protection measures. The City has 21,000 filled sandbags on hand in the event they’re required.
The City continuously reviews its flood preparation measures and activities, including monitoring river levels and weather conditions, preparing pumping stations, deploying temporary pumps to protect the sewer system, and closing outfall gates, as needed.
We will continue to monitor weather conditions and river levels to determine required flood protection measures.
Waterway Safety
Residents are advised to exercise extreme caution near waterways due to fast moving current. Parents and teachers are urged to speak to children and students about the dangers of waterways.
Basement Flooding
Basement flooding is a risk at any time of the year; however, the risk increases when river levels rise because the sewer system must rely heavily on pumping stations rather than gravity to carry the water runoff due to higher river levels.
Homeowners are reminded to take the following steps to protect their homes and property:
- To ensure maximum protection against basement flooding, arrange for a licensed plumber to install a sewer line backup valve and a sump pit with pump in the basement.
- Inspect backup valves and sump pump drainage systems to make sure they are functioning properly.
- Ensure drainage is directed away from the home by extending downspouts away from the basement walls and ensuring the earth is built up around the house. Property owners are reminded it is against the law to drain sump pump water into the basement floor drain or any other part of the house plumbing system, as it can overtax the sewer system placing their basement and those of their neighbours at risk of flooding and damage.