Murray Wood: Drought or deluge, it's Saskatchewan weather
Murray Wood notes that while we have seen years with "perfect" weather in the province, they aren't that commo...
Saskatoon is cleaning up after heavy rain pounded the city Tuesday afternoon, flooding streets and leaving some intersections underwater.
A storm system moved through around lunch time, dumping more than 50 mm of rain in some areas of the city.
Streets in the Exhibition, Avalon and Churchill neighbourhoods flooded, leaving some residents in shock.
“It’s never happened like this before,” said Dan Bolger, who lives on Cairns Avenue. “It’s like a river.”
He said he raced home from work shortly after 1 p.m. when his son-in-law phoned and told him the water had made it into their basement.
A tow truck is trying to help cars stuck in the flooded street of Cairns avenue. #yxe #CKOM pic.twitter.com/jf4BVv9ujt
— Céline Grimard (@CelineGrimard) August 8, 2017
Bolger’s home wasn’t the only building to flood.
The Market Mall shut down Tuesday afternoon after rain flooded the parts of the shopping centre.
“We are flooded ceiling and floor,” said Kelly Duncalfe-Baker, owner of Move N Soar.
She said they were in the middle of youth summer camp classes when the mall began evacuations.
“We got the kids out first, then started looking around at everything that was happening,” she said. “We’re just trying to save our studio and everything that’s in it.”
Duncalfe-Baker added the food court, Safeway and underground parking lot received the worst flooding at the mall.
Several cars were stuck in the intersection of Taylor St. and Broadway Ave. after flooding on Aug. 8, 2017. (Celine Grimard/650 CKOM)
Several cars were also stranded by the flooding. At least six cars were stuck in the intersection of Taylor Street and Broadway Avenue, with the water reaching the wheel wells of mini vans and SUVs in the area.
Saskatoon police warned drivers to stay out of any flooded areas, saying the water could stall an engine, creating personal danger and possibly damaging the vehicle.
The City of Saskatoon reported around 1 p.m. operations at the landfill and various city pools were being suspended due to adverse weather.
By 5 p.m., water had receded from most flooded areas.
Weather warnings, advisories in effect
Environment Canada was telling central Saskatchewan to be on the lookout for funnel clouds and thunderstorms Tuesday afternoon.
A severe thunderstorm warning was issued for for Saskatoon and surrounding areas as of shortly after 1 p.m. Tuesday.
It ended for Saskatoon shortly before 4 p.m.
Environment Canada said a low-pressure system sweeping through the province could create severe thunderstorms and weak funnel clouds throughout Tuesday.
A funnel cloud was spotted by drivers in the Rosewood area of Saskatoon around 12:30 p.m., looking east from College Drive and McOrmond Drive.
The funnel cloud advisories ended shortly after 5:30 p.m. Tuesday.
—With files from 650 CKOM’s Celine Grimard.
