Key Takeaways:
- A somewhat isolated downpour triggered the torrent of water that inundated most of southern and eastern Saskatoon on Monday afternoon.
- The city’s infrastructure, as per Angela Gardiner, general manager of utilities and environment, is keeping up with the rain.
The deluge of water that flooded most of southern and eastern Saskatoon on Monday afternoon was caused by a relatively localized rainstorm.
Between 1 p.m. and 2 p.m., Environment Canada meteorologist Terri Lang said the east and southeast areas of the city received 45 mm to 75 mm (1.7 inches to three inches) of rain. In contrast, the airport received less than one millimeter.
“Just because thunderstorm cells are typically extremely small, little units,” she explained, “and if they’re stationary, that’s what might happen.”
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“We had a similar event last week in North Battleford, where they received 100 millimeters of rain in less than 6 hours due to a circumstance where thunderstorms continued passing over the same location simultaneously.”
“We don’t see it every year, and it’s particularly damaging when it passes over towns and cities with more pavement and nowhere for the rain to escape, but it’s certainly a major event here.” We haven’t seen one of these in the city for a few years.”
According to Lang, the storm’s force has dissipated, and mainly light showers and thunderstorms are forecast until the evening.
According to Angela Gardiner, general manager of utilities and environment, the city’s infrastructure is keeping up with the rain. However, circumstances are being continuously monitored.
She said residents could help by not operating dishwashers, washing machines, or flushing toilets unless necessary.
In the city’s eastern sections, the city’s dry storm ponds, designed to store water that would otherwise create flooding nearby, are operating as intended, she said.
Residents are asked to call the 24-Hour Customer Service Centre at 306-975-2476 to report stranded vehicles, missing manholes, and the roadway or underpass flooding.
Source: CTV News
