Heavy Rain Update

Yesterday, September 7, Saskatoon experienced heavy rain in all areas of the city with upwards of 80 millimetres received. City crews worked throughout the evening and overnight to address flooded intersections, popped manhole covers and other flood-related issues on roadways.

Water has receded from flooded streets and most intersections were clear for today’s commute. At this time, the Hampton Village lift station serving the west side remains near capacity.

Leisure Facilities

Facilities are open today with regular operating hours. However the track at the Saskatoon Field House is closed as an exception due to water seepage. Please follow the City’s Service Alerts for the latest updates.

City Flood Protection Infrastructure

Currently, the City’s infrastructure continues to keep up with yesterday’s flood water, but we are monitoring the conditions very closely. More rain is forecast for Saskatoon and area this week and the system will need several days to recover from Monday’s rainfall. Residents can help by reducing the use of washing machines and dishwashers or by flushing toilets only when absolutely necessary.

Dry storm ponds at Churchill, Weaver and W.W. Ashley Parks worked as intended and protected area properties. Dry storm ponds are designed to hold water that would otherwise cause nearby flooding during intense rainfalls. The water flows from properties and roads into the dry storm pond, then slowly drains into the storm sewer.

Be Prepared & Keep Safe

When a rain event such as this occurs, there are things we can all do to keep safe:

• Avoid flooded areas altogether if possible.
• If there are barricaded areas, do not remove barricades or drive into the area.
• Stay out of the water whether you are in your car or if you are on foot.
• Be mindful to avoid flooded areas on your commute to/from work or school – stay up to date with Service Alerts.
• If you encounter flooding on a street, take an alternate route, as deep water can damage a vehicle and cause it to stall.
• Do not remove manhole covers – it can be dangerous. Contact the City instead at 306-975-2476.
• Do not go near drainage areas in parks and follow all signage in parks that may direct you to not enter when flooding occurs – these areas can also be very hazardous in storm-flow conditions
• Emergencies: report stranded vehicles, missing or popped manholes and street or underpass flooding to the City of Saskatoon’s 24-Hour Customer Service Centre at 306-975-2476. Call 9-1-1 in an emergency.

Home Flood Protection

To reduce the risk of damage to property, residents should ensure downspouts disperse water at least two metres (six feet) away from the home foundation. Downpours like this can drop a tremendous amount of water in a relatively short period of time. All homes – even those that have never flooded before may have water seep in.

The City has information available for impacted residents on saskatoon.ca/homefloodprotection.