Brenden Ullrich
7/12/2012
It's been an eventful morning in Edmonton, especially for fire crews.
Crews responded to over 70 calls, more than 40 of which were related to the storm.
Fire Chief, Ken Block, says extra crews had to be called in.
"We responded to 4 flooded buildings and received 29 alarm calls across the city. "
Two fires have also been confirmed to be caused by lightning.
"The fires caused $110,000, of damage in each situation. We also have reports of a third and fourth fire, but the cause and damage have yet to be confirmed at this time. "
Block says they also had to rescue 20 people in vehicles along the Whitemud free way stranded on a flooded street.
The aftermath of the hail. Photo courtesy: Theron - @therons
This morning's thunderstorm dumped over 100mm of rain in some areas of Edmonton.
It was a strong storm in a focused area.
"This was a fairly narrow band, as these severe thunderstorms generally are, that sort of developed just west of Edmonton early this morning," says Meteorologist Josh Classen. "[It] rolled eastward right along the yellowhead, and then just after exiting out the east side of Sherwood Park, it dipped off to the south east at weakened."
Classen says he predicted thunderstorms overnight, but severe storms like this morning's can develop quickly and unexpectedly.
Josh says this storm is reminiscent of one that hit in 2004, that also flooded roads, basement, and dropped lots of hail. (bu, kdr)
|