Deluge of rain leads to flooding, water restrictions in Edmonton and surrounding communities

Deluge of rain leads to flooding, water restrictions in Edmonton and surrounding communities

Advisories in effect across region following days of heavy rain

Days of heavy rain has the City of Edmonton and surrounding communities contending with overland flooding, washed out roads, and wastewater systems pushed past their limits.

As the deluge continued Monday, Edmonton residents are being asked to restrict non-essential water use and ensure their property drainage systems are working properly to guard against flooding.

The emergency advisory alert issued Sunday evening cautioned that heavy rainfall over the weekend has pushed the region's stormwater system to capacity, with localized flooding and backups being reported in neighbouring communities.

If the stormwater system continues to operate over-capacity, flooding and sewer backups will continue to increase, city officials warned.

Residents of Edmonton are advised to take immediate steps to avoid unnecessary indoor water use including limiting showers and baths, delaying laundry and dishwasher use and ensuring sump pumps and downspouts are functioning properly to direct water away from homes.

In a news release Sunday, officials with EPCOR — the municipally-owned utility company responsible for managing Edmonton’s water systems — said it had received more than 600 calls for service on Sunday about concerns such as water pooling and flooding.

Rainfall into Monday means Edmonton’s stormwater system remains under pressure, officials said.

“We have crews working across the city, and they could use Edmontonians’ help. We are asking customers to immediately take steps to reduce their water use,” officials with EPCOR said.

“What seem like small steps or inconveniences can be the difference in helping neighbours avoid flooding and sewer backups.”

Edmonton and the surrounding areas received between 50 and 100 mm of heavy rainfall over the weekend, washing out roads and overflowing sewers and stormwater ponds across the city.

The advisory for Edmonton is among a string of municipal warnings and travel alerts issued across central Alberta Sunday as heavy rain threatened roads, businesses and homes.

The City of Beaumont and St. Albert is also urging its residents to reduce all non-essential water use as the city faces heavy rainfall from the last 24 hours.

A similar alert remains in effect for the entire Hamlet of Wabamun within Parkland County due to sewer backups affecting individual homes and businesses.

"These steps help reduce the load on the wastewater system," the City of Beaumont said on its website.

"If the wastewater system continues to operate over-capacity, flooding and sewer backups will continue to increase," the advisories read.

Overland flooding alerts also remain in effect for the Town of Stony Plain, west of Edmonton, due to sewer back-ups and in Lac Ste. Anne County, about 75 km northwest of Edmonton, due to extensive flooding and washouts on several roads.

A similar alert has also been issued for Beaver County, about 115 km to the east of downtown Edmonton, due to extensive flooding and road closures which have put the region’s emergency capacity under threat.

“Heavy rainfall over the past 24 hours has pushed the Town's wastewater system over capacity,” the alert reads.

“Municipal emergency services are at risk of flooding and becoming inoperable. No evacuation is necessary at this time.”

More rain is forecast for Monday before it finally tapers off. Environment Canada predicting total rainfall amounts of 75 to 150 mm. In Edmonton, the rain is expected to continue throughout Monday with a risk of thunderstorms this afternoon, before a forecast of clear, sunny skies on Tuesday.

Wallis Snowdon is a journalist with CBC Edmonton focused on bringing stories to the website and the airwaves. Originally from New Brunswick, Wallis has reported in communities across Canada, from Halifax to Fort McMurray. She previously worked as a digital and current affairs producer with CBC Radio in Edmonton. Share your stories with Wallis at wallis.snowdon@cbc.ca.