The city’s main utility company says it has responded to 275 calls and counting for flooded areas as heavy rain hit Edmonton Friday night. Epcor says its crews are continuing to address calls for localized flooding based on public safety priority. Edmonton police have lifted a traffic advisory on the westbound Yellowhead Trail at 170 Street after closing it earlier Saturday morning for flooding. In some portions of the city, however, drivers will find barricades to deter drivers and pedestrians from areas with higher water levels. Epcor says no water restrictions were being placed as of Saturday afternoon, but asked Edmontonians to pre-emptively shorten their showers or delay laundry to ease pressure on water systems that were burdened last weekend during non-stop rainfall. Edmonton Mayor Andrew Knack says the city has been upgrading its stormwater infrastructure for the last seven years. “We might not be quite as bad as we saw last weekend,” he said Saturday during a break in the clouds. “Typically during a major event, (Epcor) looks every six hours to see how things are going, and if they feel there is a need to ask for each other to support one another, then they’ll do that.” An Epcor spokesperson also asks Edmontonians to stay back from stormwater ponds as water levels rise. “This is part of their normal operation as they slow the entry of stormwater into the broader system,” they said in a statement to CTV News Edmonton. Displaced manhole covers can be reported to Epcor’s emergency line at 780-412-4500. As for blocked drains on roads, Knack says at minimum the city asks residents to report emergent flooding to 311, but he also commends Edmontonians who are taking it upon themselves to unblock grates. “I certainly heard from some people who said they unclogged their drains, that’s awesome,” he said. “If people can chip in and they feel comfortable doing it, it does make a big difference and ensures that water is flowing into the system.” The Edmonton area is expecting 50-80 mm of rain over the weekend.
