Brandon woman calls for better emergency plans after commuting to flooded Swan River to see her dying parent in a care home
Posted July 3, 2026 5:56 pm.
Last Updated July 4, 2026 10:38 am.
A Brandon woman speaks out after making her way into the flooded community of Swan River to say goodbye to her father in a care home this week, and now she’s calling for better emergency plans and transportation for patients.
“I felt really stuck and I wasn’t sure what to do and where to turn,” said Karrie Delowski, a Brandon resident.
Delowski was called in by the Swan River care home staff who said her 73-year-old father was having issues breathing.
She says that message came at a time when roads around the flooded community were closing down.
“I talked to him all the way through. I took my part, and I was so glad I was able to come to Swan River and was able to say last words and say goodbye to him,” said Delowski.
It took Delowski several hours to get to the flooded community, as Delowski had to make a detour through Saskatchewan and take gravel roads.
What is normally a four-hour drive turned into almost eight hours on the road with only one thought crossing her mind.
“Am I going to make it on time? Because I was getting updates that his breathing was shallow and they were increasing his oxygen.”
Delowski says she was hoping her dad could be transferred to the hospital in Brandon, but says he was too weak to make the flight, as he was a dialysis patient. She says there was a lot of red tape to cut, but commended the medical staff that supported her father.
CityNews reached out to Prairie Mountain Health, but did not hear back.
“He wanted to see me, so it was really hard. I felt like I’m going to miss saying goodbye to him,” said Delowski.
Delowski made it to the hospital to be with her dad in his final hours before he died.
She says her dad will be remembered by the family as a cheerful person and a loving father, but she hopes that next time there will be better emergency plans for patients in situations like hers.
The province confirmed to CityNews they were in contact with Delowski and provided her support and information. In a statement, they said, “Our priority remains ensuring patients continue to receive safe, appropriate care, while supporting families and communities through this evolving situation.”
Delowski says, “As both a nurse and a daughter, I believe we need to have plans in place for situations like this. Families should not have to choose between following emergency restrictions and saying goodbye to someone they love.”
