On Thursday afternoon, a severe storm swept across the city of Ottawa, leading to heavy rain that flooded roads and sidewalks throughout the area. Environment Canada reported that between 50 and 75 mm of rain had fallen in the city by 1 p.m., a mere 90 minutes after the rain began. The Central Experimental Farm weather station recorded 53 mm of rain in the same timeframe.
One section of Woodroffe Avenue near Hunt Club Road had to be closed due to flooding, and numerous residents reported encountering one to two-foot deep puddles on various roads across the city. During the lunch hour, locals witnessed heavy rain, hail, and strong winds.
Environment Canada issued a severe thunderstorm warning, indicating that some areas could experience as much as 125 mm of rain and nickel-sized hail. The warning read, “At 1:14 PM EDT, Environment Canada meteorologists are tracking a line of severe thunderstorms capable of producing strong wind gusts, up to toonie size hail, and heavy rain. This line of severe thunderstorms is located from near Gatineau and Ottawa, then extending southwestward to western Lanark County.”
The Ottawa climate weather station measured a staggering 48.7 mm of rain in just one hour. Flooding resulted in road closures, such as Woodroffe Avenue between Knoxdale and Norice Street, and Industrial Road between Russell Road and Train Yards. Merivale Road was temporarily closed between Collonnade and Woodfield due to flooding but reopened after 2 p.m.
Ottawa police issued a road safety alert, highlighting the dangerous road conditions due to the heavy rainfall and subsequent road closures. The police continued to monitor and assess the situation, with officers on-site to assist.
The East Entrance of Parliament Station had to be closed on Thursday due to water accumulation, with videos on social media revealing rain falling from the roof onto the escalator.
The forecast for Ottawa indicated afternoon showers with a high of 24°C, with the temperature expected to drop to 18°C in the afternoon. The showers were projected to end early in the evening, followed by cloudiness with a 30 per cent chance of showers. There was also a risk of a thunderstorm in the evening, and the overnight low temperature would be 14°C.
Friday’s forecast included a mix of sun and cloud with a high of 23°C and a humidex of 28. The weekend was expected to start rainy, with Saturday’s forecast calling for showers and a high of 20°C.
Sunday was anticipated to feature a mix of sun and cloud, with a 40 per cent chance of showers and a high of 25°C.