WATCH ABOVE: Global meteorologist Nicola Crosbie’s weather forecast from Friday’s edition of the News Hour. For more info, check out Global Edmonton’s weather page.
EDMONTON – High winds and heavy rain drenched areas across the Capital Region Friday, wreaking havoc on city roads, trees, power lines and resident’s basements.
The weather caused flight delays and cancellations at the Edmonton International Airport. As of 2:00 p.m. Friday, approximately 48 flights had been cancelled or diverted. EIA says passengers whose flights have been cancelled should contact their airlines for rebooking.
READ MORE: High winds cancel or divert dozens of flights at EIA
Margie Balaneski, who lives in the area of 145 Avenue and 96 Street, spent most of the evening vacuuming water out of her basement after area sewer lines backed up into her home.
Balaneski says she has a back water shut off valve, but “it couldn’t hold the pressure that came through the lines.”
This isn’t the first time Balaneski has been forced to clean up following heavy rainfall; in August 2013, she was vacuuming water out of her basement after an intense overnight thunderstorm.
“We experienced the same problem. We have sewer water in the basement and we have been busy… vacuuming it up, taking it out in bucket loads,” she explained Friday night.
“History has repeated itself.”
READ MORE: Flooding in Edmonton following overnight storm
Due to the extreme weather, the Interstellar Rodeo was cancelled Friday night. Artists that were set to play Friday - or whose flights had been cancelled or delayed – will be moved to Monday.
“Edmontonians are hearty, and not afraid of a little rain,” said producer Shauna de Cartier, “but the high winds and rain make for unsafe conditions and we decided to work on a Plan B.”
Organizers say Corb Lund and the Hurtin’ Albertans, scheduled to perform Friday, will be back Monday night. Saturday and Sunday performances will go ahead as scheduled. All Friday Interstellar Rodeo tickets will be honoured on Monday night.
The wet weather also rained on Taste of Edmonton’s parade Friday night.
More sad news. We’ll have to shut down at 7pm tonight due to flooding. Still have a couple wet hours left though! #yeg #yegwx
— Taste Of Edmonton (@TasteOfEdm) July 25, 2014
Okay update, we should be able to stay open as long as people keep coming. Restaurants will be open as long as it’s safe to cook!
— Taste Of Edmonton (@TasteOfEdm) July 25, 2014
But, earlier in the day, some brave souls battled the rain to check out the treats.
“There are no line-ups,” said Amber Durocher. “You don’t have to push anyone out of your way and the food is just as good.”
Concerts at the K-Days midway went ahead as scheduled Friday night. Northlands staff offered free gate admission after 6 p.m.
Summerland Tour won’t be washed away! Free @KDaysyeg gate admission after 6 p.m. tonight. https://t.co/PbmMStePaQ #KDAYS
— K-Days (@KDaysyeg) July 25, 2014
The nightly fireworks show was cancelled, though, as the grounds closed following the concerts.
According to Global Meteorologist Nicola Crosbie, a cold low has moved in from Northern B.C., creating major instability across central Alberta.
Rain was falling at a rate of about five mm per hour, which Crosbie says is significant.
The unofficial rainfall amount in west Edmonton is 100 mm, which Crosbie says fell between 11 p.m. Thursday and 5 p.m. Friday. The average rainfall for July is 94 mm, according to Crosbie.
A wind warning was in place for much of the day, but it was dropped by Environment Canada by Friday evening.
Fortunately, this wet and rainy day is not expected to carry on throughout the weekend.
“The good news is the forecast really improves for Saturday,” Crosbie explains. “A strong ridge of high pressure builds in again and temperatures will head into the 30s by Tuesday.”