Just minutes after Environment Canada ramped up there severe thunderstorm watch to a severe thunderstorm warning for Kingston on Wednesday, the heavens poured down, causing rampant flooding and power outages throughout the city.
At least 80 mm of rain poured down over Kingston in a very short period of time, according to CKWS weather analyst Bill Hall.
According to Canada’s weather agency, storms like these are capable of producing damaging winds up to 100 km/h and hail the size of toonies. Frequent lightning and torrential downpours are also usually associated, says Environment Canada.
Utilities Kingston reported power outages in Central Kingston — but all outages were restored within a short period of time. They were also warnings those who may have seen downed power lines to steer clear.
Kingston Gaming Nexus, a Bagot Street game store, was also flooded on Wednesday night. The owner of the store, Micahel Wibberly, says his store began to flood through the toilet and from the parking lot.
Wibberly said the flooding happened within a 45-minute time-period. He had to be called in to the store by one of his employees to deal with the deluge.
Downtown Princess Street business Luce flooded, and several buildings at Queen University flooded as well.
People working at Queen’s University say that Beamish Munro, Jackson and Dupuis Halls were affected by the heavy rain.
There have been many social media reports of flooded roads as well, with water reaching a third of the way up to vehicles on the road.
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