A powerful thunderstorm swept through Edmonton on Saturday evening, leading to widespread flooding, numerous road closures, and power outages across the city. The severe weather event prompted a high volume of calls to police and impacted various city services.
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 almost 40 km/h, with a maximum wind speed reaching 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.
Impact on Infrastructure and Services
The storm’s intensity resulted in temporary road closures, localized flooding, and downed trees. Power outages were also reported at intersections. As of Sunday afternoon, crews were actively working to reopen roads, clear debris, assess damage, and remove standing water.
Several major roadways were affected, though some, including Yellowhead Trail and Whitemud Drive, were later cleared. Groat Road was fully open in the northbound direction, and Connors Road was open southbound. However, other lanes remained closed as city crews continued their efforts. Drivers were advised to avoid specific areas due to flooding, such as Connors Road under the 98 Avenue Bridge and 127 Avenue under the CN bridge, as well as 107 Avenue under the Groat Road bridge.
The Edmonton Police Service reported an exceptionally high volume of 911 calls on Saturday evening, which affected response and wait times. Edmonton Transit Services also experienced city-wide delays on Sunday morning due to the road closures and flooding.
Power Outages and Public Safety
By 2:34 p.m. on Sunday, 20 areas in Edmonton were experiencing power outages, according to Epcor‘s website. Epcor stated that its system was generally performing well despite the storm’s intensity. A spokesperson for the utility company noted that while the system is designed for typical rainfall, extreme and prolonged downpours can challenge or temporarily exceed capacity in localized areas. Saturated ground conditions can also impact the system’s performance, as more water enters the system instead of seeping into the ground.
Epcor deployed additional crews and equipment to monitor infrastructure and support emergency response efforts. Residents were urged to use caution while driving or to utilize public transit options. Epcor also advised Edmontonians to avoid flooded roadways, stay clear of underpasses during heavy rain, and map out alternate routes or delay travel during severe weather alerts. They also recommended staying at least 10 metres away from downed power lines and maintaining a safe distance from stormwater ponds due to changing water levels and unstable shorelines. Checking sump pumps and directing eavestroughs away from foundations were also suggested.
Community Impact and Event Disruptions
The severe weather also led to the closure of KDays for the evening. Guests who were unable to leave the grounds during the storm found shelter inside the Edmonton Expo Centre. Additionally, a Post Malone concert at Commonwealth Stadium was abruptly cancelled. Videos shared on social media showed thousands of attendees seeking shelter inside the stadium concourse as the storm hit.
A tow truck driver reported assisting several individuals from their vehicles in thigh-deep water on Saturday night, noting that he had been called to the overpass near Whitemud and 159 Street multiple times this year. Edmontonians can report ongoing service impacts or issues by contacting 311.
Source: calgary.citynews.ca
