A severe wind and rainstorm that swept through Selkirk on the evening of June 9 prompted a surge in emergency calls, with firefighters and city officials responding to downed power lines, fallen trees and storm-related alarms across the city.
The Selkirk Fire Department received 14 calls between 8:33 p.m. on June 9 and 7:21 a.m. on June 10, according to the City of Selkirk. Calls continued to come in to emergency services following the storm’s initial impact.
Kristy Hill, the city’s director of protective services and municipal emergency co-ordinator, said the majority of storm-related incidents were linked to hydro line damage caused by falling branches, which in some cases resulted in sparking and potential fire hazards.
She said firefighters also responded to water-related issues, false fire alarms triggered by power disruptions and welfare checks at the Selkirk Park campground as the storm moved through the area.
“Most of the calls were related to hydro line issues or sparking,” Hill said, adding that crews worked alongside city staff to assess hazards and co-ordinate responses across affected areas.
Despite the volume of calls, Hill said the city relies on coordinated emergency planning and an on-call structure that allows staff to monitor conditions and respond as needed.
“We try to be proactive rather than reactive,” she said, pointing to seasonal emergency planning meetings and interdepartmental co-ordination ahead of winter storms and the spring flood season.
Hill also highlighted ongoing public education efforts, including information shared through the city’s website and social media platforms on storm preparedness, flood prevention and emergency kit planning.
She said the city recently distributed an emergency preparedness booklet to residents outlining steps to take during severe weather events, including guidance on emergency contacts, pet safety and shutting off household utilities.
Selkirk Fire Department Chief Corey Gagne said firefighters were already monitoring severe weather alerts before the storm hit Tuesday evening.
“We knew we were in for something,” he said.
As calls began to pour in, firefighters responded to a range of incidents across the city, including downed trees, hydro line hazards and multiple alarm issues. Gagne said crews were initially deployed across town before regrouping at the fire hall to establish command and prioritize responses.
“We just split up crews and trucks and started dispatching (where needed),” he said.
Once power was restored and initial hazards were addressed, call volumes declined and responsibility shifted largely to municipal cleanup efforts.
Gagne said while Selkirk has experienced severe weather in the past, Tuesday’s storm stood out for its intensity. He referenced a major storm in the early 2000s that caused widespread flooding and damage, noting similarities in both the damage and the strain placed on emergency services.
Both Hill and Gagne encouraged residents to remain prepared for future extreme weather events by keeping emergency kits stocked with water, food, flashlights and first-aid supplies, and by closely monitoring weather alerts.
