Heavy rain closed down one of Edmonton’s busiest roadways Saturday. Whitemud Drive between 111 Street and 99 Street was closed down after heavy rain from an afternoon thunderstorm flooded the busy freeway around 6 p.m.
Several motorists had to be rescued by Edmonton firefighters because of high water levels.
Christine Park was travelling in a car with friends when they approached the 106 Street overpass and saw the water.
“It didn’t look that high. All the other cars were making it, so we thought we would follow suit. The water was just too high. Our engine stopped.”
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“We were stuck and stranded there,” Park said, still wrapped in a blanket an hour after the rescue.
Drainage crews were on scene for hours to remove pools of water.
The city hopes to reopen the busy freeway Sunday morning, but in the meantime detours are in place.
This is the second time in four days Whitemud Drive has been partially closed because of flooding. On Wednesday, 68 mm of rain fell, trapping motorists.
READ MORE: Edmonton streets flooded as city battered by rain during thunderstorm
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