Severe Weather Impacts Edmonton
A severe thunderstorm brought intense winds and heavy rain to Edmonton on Saturday night, leading to widespread flooding, road closures, and power outages. The storm, which began around 9 p.m., caused significant disruption across the city.
According to Environment and Climate Change Canada, the Blatchford area in central Edmonton recorded nearly 30 millimetres of rain between 9 p.m. and 10 p.m. During this hour, wind speeds averaged nearly 40 km/h, with a maximum wind speed reaching 84 km/h.
The storm’s impact was immediate, resulting in temporary road closures, localized flooding, and downed trees. Many intersections also experienced power outages. The City of Edmonton confirmed that crews were actively working to reopen roads, clear debris, assess damage, and remove standing water.
Road Closures and Service Disruptions
Several major roadways were affected by the storm. While some, such as Yellowhead Trail and Whitemud Drive, were later cleared, others remained closed as crews continued their work. Groat Road was fully open in the northbound direction, and Connors Road was open southbound, but other lanes were still impacted.
The City of Edmonton advised drivers to avoid specific areas due to flooding. These included Connors Road under the 98 Avenue Bridge, 127 Avenue under the CN bridge, and 107 Avenue under the Groat Road bridge. Road closures were also reported at the onramp at 178 Street and Whitemud Drive westbound, and Groat Road northbound from the River Valley Road interchange to 107 Avenue.
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.
As of Sunday afternoon, Epcor’s website indicated that 20 areas were experiencing power outages. Epcor stated that its system was generally performing well given the storm’s intensity, but acknowledged that extreme and prolonged rainfall could challenge or temporarily exceed capacity in localized areas. Saturated ground conditions were also noted as a factor affecting the system’s performance.
Community Impact and Safety Warnings
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 concert featuring Post Malone at Commonwealth Stadium was abruptly cancelled, with videos showing thousands of attendees seeking shelter inside the stadium concourse.
A tow truck driver reported assisting several individuals from their vehicles in thigh-deep water, particularly near the overpass at Whitemud and 159 Street. He noted that this year had seen an unusual amount of rain.
Officials urged residents to exercise caution while driving or to use public transit options as crews continued to clear debris and water. Epcor issued several safety recommendations for Edmontonians, including avoiding flooded roadways and underpasses during heavy rain, mapping out alternate routes, or delaying travel during severe weather alerts.
Residents were also advised to stay at least 10 metres away from downed power lines and to maintain a safe distance from stormwater ponds due to changing water levels and unstable shorelines. Epcor also suggested checking sump pumps and ensuring eavestroughs were directed away from building foundations. Edmontonians can report any ongoing service impacts or issues by contacting 311.
Source: calgary.citynews.ca
