Heavy rain brings flooding and water advisories to Edmonton

Severe flooding has struck communities south and east of Edmonton following a weekend of intense rainfall that overwhelmed drainage systems and forced evacuations. The town of Tofield, with a population of about 2,100, was among the hardest hit, with rising water levels prompting an overland flood alert and straining emergency response efforts.

In Tofield, the deluge pushed the wastewater system over capacity, leading to property damage and forcing some residents from their homes. Mayor Andrew Hall said crews have been working around the clock, deploying water pumps and vacuum trucks. He urged residents to curb non-essential water use, such as doing laundry or running dishwashers, to avoid overwhelming the drainage system. Several basements were damaged, including at the Beaver Hill Motel, where guests were relocated to the Tofield Community Hall. Local businesses were also affected, with access to Tofield Packers cut off by a large pool of water that filled its parking lot. Co-owner Jill Lungal said they had seen flooding during their 31 years in business but nothing of this magnitude.

The broader Edmonton region received more rain this past weekend than it typically gets in...