There are power outages, road closures and residents trying to pump water from flooded basements after more than 110 millimetres of rain fell over Ottawa on Canada Day — and forecasters warned the storm wasn’t finished yet.
Environment Canada had earlier placed the capital under both a heat warning and a severe thunderstorm warning, with torrential rain, damaging wind gusts and frequent lightning sweeping across the city.
The heavy downpour flooded the Woodroffe Avenue underpass at Knoxdale Road and sections of Highway 417 near Pinecrest Road, creating hazardous driving conditions. Ottawa police also announced road closures at Corkstown Road and Creekwood Crescent, as well as Richmond Road and Holly Acres Road.
“A 20 minute drive to Westboro took one hour,” reported Mike McMullin. “Lots of lights are out and floods on Greenbank, Woodroffe, Merivale, Tanglewood and Meadowlands had us detouring out of our way down Hunt Club and using Fisher to get to Carling.”
Flooding on the highway near Bayshore. Photo by OPP.
By 8:00 p.m., Hydro Ottawa reported roughly 21,600 customers remained without power in Kanata, Stittsville, parts of Nepean, Barrhaven and Orléans. The utility said that, if conditions allowed crews to work safely, most outages were expected to be restored overnight.
In Nepean, many homeowners were dealing with flooded basements, while some apartment buildings also reported water entering lower levels.
The Canadian Tire in Bells Corners opened Wednesday evening for anyone needing emergency supplies. A staff member said the store intended to remain open for as long as inventory lasted, but noted they were out of subpumps.
On Facebook, residents shared reports of flooding in Parkwood Hills, Crestview, Meadowlands, Craig Henry and other west-end neighbourhoods.
Jody Ash, who lives on Seymour Avenue, said more than two feet of water filled her basement. It marks the third time her home has flooded, with the previous incident occurring in August 2023.
“(It’s) complete devastation. We might need to evacuate,” she said.
Jody Ash's flooded basement in Parkwood Hills. Provided photo.
Ash told the Lookout the neighbourhood has experienced repeated flooding over the years, adding that some insurance companies are now refusing to provide coverage.
“The infrastructure hasn’t been upgraded in decades. It simply cannot keep up anymore,” she said.
Knoxdale-Merivale Coun. Sean Devine said one of his friends in Arlington Woods had water nearly reaching the ceiling of their basement. He has asked anyone in the area experiencing flooding to email him at [email protected]
In a video posted to Facebook, College Ward Coun. Laine Johnson said her ward had also been “pretty badly hit” and urged residents to be patient as emergency crews responded to calls across the city.
“311 is totally overwhelmed right now so please be patient but do contact them if you’re experiencing flooding on the roadway or in the creek like on Qualicum or in your basement,” she said. “It’s not that nothing is happening. It’s just that everything is happening all at once.”
In a social media post, Mayor Mark Sutcliffe said garbage limits will be suspended in several wards next week so residents whose basements flooded can discard soiled items. More details will be announced soon.
Sutcliffe also said “I will bring a motion to the next council meeting to waive building permit fees for all residents who need to rebuild their basements because of these storms,” he said.
Flooding in the seniors lobby on McEwan Avenue. Photo by Peter Dunnigan.
Environment Canada downgraded the severe thunderstorm watch to a warning around 8:30 p.m., with forecasters warning that additional thunderstorms could continue overnight.
Earlier in the afternoon, weather spotters reported a large rotating wall cloud forming over Barrhaven, though there were no confirmed tornadoes.
The storm even broke records. The previous record rainfall for Canada Day in Ottawa was 58.9 mm set back in 1959.
Impact on Canada Day
The dangerous weather forced the cancellation of most Canada Day celebrations across Ottawa, including the evening festivities at LeBreton Flats.
“In the interest of public safety and due to extreme weather and the condition of the site, we unfortunately have made the difficult decision to cancel the National Canada Day Evening Show. The fireworks display has also been cancelled,” organizers said in a statement.
The Snowbirds which were due to flyover Parliament Hill for their last time also had to cancel plans, but you will have a final chance to see them in September at the Ottawa-Gatineau Aero show.
Part of a tree down at a park in Nepean. Photo by Charlie Senack.
Organizers of Canada Day celebrations in both Kanata and Barrhaven also announced their fireworks displays would be postponed to a later date.
Hard Rock Hotel & Casino Ottawa, however, announced its planned 10 p.m. fireworks display would proceed as scheduled despite the weather.
