August 16, 1939 Two Heavy Thunderstorms Flood Winnipeg
Two rounds of heavy thunderstorms dumped copious amounts of rain over Winnipeg on August 16, 1939. The first round of storms hit about 3 am and lasted about three hours, dumping 35.3 mm of rain at the Airport. The second storm hit about 1:30 pm, and lasted another three hours, dumping 46.7 mm. This brought the daily rainfall amount to 82.0 mm, one of the wettest days on record.
The heavy rain flooded basements, businesses and warehouses, slowed down traffic and disrupted communications. Underpasses were under water, causing transit and motorists to take detours. The General Hospital was also flooded. The greatest damage was to downtown warehouses and businesses which stored much material in their basements. Cave-ins occurred along some roads and sidewalks. Approximately 24 schools were flooded. It was reported that hundreds of sparrows died in the storm. While seeking refuge in trees, they felled to the pavement and died.
The City of Winnipeg proper was hardest hit. Flooded basements were also reported in St Boniface, St James and West Kildonan. Areas to the south toward the University of Manitoba were not as hard hit, and the rain was welcomed.
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| From the Winnipeg Tribune August 17 1939 page 8 |
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| From the Winnipeg Tribune August 17 1939 page 1 |
** Sources: This post contains info from the Winnipeg Free Press and Winnipeg Tribune, from their August 16 and 17, 1939 publications.
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