City of Saskatoon ready to respond to heavy rainfall

With heavy rainfall expected to fall in Saskatoon and central Saskatchewan over the next 24 hours, the city is preparing for all possibilities in case flooding occurs.

According to Environment Canada, the city can expect between 40 and 60 millimetres of rain, “but in addition to the relatively steady rain, some locations will receive heavier bursts of rainfall due to embedded convection.”

“We’re really lucky here at the City of Saskatoon. We have an excellent partnership with Environment Canada, so we get these warnings in advance so we have time to prepare for them,” said Pamela Goulden-McLeod, director of emergency operations with the City of Saskatoon.

“We get them a little earlier than the general public so we have time to get our teams together. For one like this, all of our departments have the information for who will be responding, and they’re ready and on alert for this.”

Goulden-McLeod said right now the city’s concern is at a Level 1, which is the lowest on its scale and information alert system. But police, the fire department and road workers are all standing by in case something concerning does develop on city roads.

Goulden-McLeod asked the public to be careful especially around intersections that are experiencing flooding.

“If you see an area that might be flooded, please stay away from that area. Don’t try driving through some of those flooded intersections if we do see that flooding,” she stated.

“This rain event looks like it will be happening overnight – so it could be later in the evening and by the next morning those storm ponds might be already drained.”

Goulden-McLeod said some specific intersections could potentially cause issues, including 19th Street and Idylwyld Drive, 33rd Street near Avenue K and the 33rd Street and Circle Drive overpass.

“Just be aware of those,” said Goulden-McLeod. “If you’re heading out and you know we’ve had a significant amount a rain, then try to avoid those intersections. If you come up and see water there, just don’t drive through them. Take a different route.”

Crews will be trying to prevent a repeat of scenes from the previous two years, when heavy rains led to flash flooding in many parts of the city.