A severe thunderstorm impacted Edmonton on Saturday night, leading to significant flooding, numerous road closures, and power outages across the city. The storm, characterized by intense winds and heavy rainfall, prompted a high volume of calls to emergency services and necessitated extensive cleanup efforts by city and utility crews.
Between 9 p.m. and 10 p.m. on Saturday, the Blatchford area in central Edmonton recorded nearly 30 millimetres of rain, according to Environment and Climate Change Canada. During this hour, wind speeds averaged close to 40 km/h, with a maximum recorded speed of 84 km/h. Another report from Environment Canada‘s Edmonton Blatchford reporting station indicated a total of 29.9 mm of rain fell between 9 p.m. and 11 p.m.
Road Closures and Cleanup Efforts
The storm caused temporary road closures, localized flooding, and downed trees. Several major roadways were affected, though some have since reopened. As of Sunday morning, roads such as Yellowhead Trail and Whitemud Drive were cleared. Groat Road was fully open in the northbound direction, and Connors Road was open southbound, while other lanes remained closed for ongoing crew work.
However, some closures persisted, including an onramp at 178 Street and Whitemud Drive westbound, and a section of Groat Road northbound from the River Valley Road interchange to 107 Avenue. The City of Edmonton advised drivers to avoid several areas due to flooding, including Connors Road under the 98 Avenue Bridge, and sections of 127 Avenue and 107 Avenue under CN and Groat Road bridges, respectively.
City crews have been actively working to reopen roads, clear trees and debris, assess damage, and remove standing water. Epcor, the utility company, deployed additional crews and equipment to monitor infrastructure and support emergency response efforts. They noted that while their system is designed for typical rainfall, extreme and prolonged events can challenge or temporarily exceed capacity in localized areas, especially with saturated ground conditions.
A tow truck driver reported assisting several individuals from their vehicles in thigh-deep water on Saturday night, noting the unusual amount of rain for the year. He mentioned being called multiple times to the overpass near Whitemud and 159 Street.
Power Outages and Public Advisories
The severe weather also resulted in power outages across the city. As of 2:34 p.m. on Sunday, Epcor‘s website indicated that 20 areas were experiencing power interruptions. Epcor stated that their system was generally performing well despite the storm’s intensity.
The Edmonton Police Service reported an exceptionally high volume of 911 calls on Saturday evening, which impacted response and wait times. Edmonton Transit Services also experienced city-wide delays on Sunday morning due to road closures and flooding.
Residents are urged to exercise caution while driving or to use public transit. Epcor issued several recommendations for residents, including avoiding flooded roadways and underpasses during heavy rain, mapping alternate routes, and delaying travel when severe weather alerts are issued. They also advised staying at least 10 metres from downed power lines and maintaining a safe distance from stormwater ponds due to changing water levels and unstable shorelines. Additionally, residents were encouraged to check sump pumps and ensure eavestroughs direct water away from foundations.
Beyond infrastructure impacts, the storm also affected local events. KDays was forced to close for the evening, with guests sheltering inside the Edmonton Expo Centre. A Post Malone concert at Commonwealth Stadium was abruptly cancelled, with attendees seeking shelter in the stadium concourse.
Fallen tree branches were observed in a central Edmonton neighbourhood on 111 Street and 103 Avenue on Sunday morning. Residents can report ongoing service impacts or issues directly to 311.
Source: calgary.citynews.ca
As CasinoNews's Sports News Writer, Mason Leclair reports on the CFL, golf and combat sports for readers across the country. He moved from regional papers into digital sport. He holds a degree in Journalism from Carleton University. Mason lives in Ottawa, where he follows the PGA Tour and mixed martial arts. “Get the facts down first, then add the context.”
