Residents of Lloydminster had a rude awakening on Monday morning.
Overnight rains have left large amounts of water flowing through the city, which has overwhelmed drainage in areas of the community. Residents have made posts on social media about flooded basements, and at least two vehicles were claimed by the floodwaters.
However, at least one car was rescued in the Glenn E. Nielson Industrial Park. The water in the industrial park has crept along the roadway adjacent to Highway 17, and was gradually filling the parking lot of Kondro Electric, where a worker’s vehicle had been left in the morning. Four employees of the company managed to get into the car, and push it free of the water to higher ground.
Garry Gagnon, who helped push, said there had been “a little bit of water” in the intersection of 62 Street and 50 Avenue around 6 a.m., which rapidly increased over the next two hours to roughly 2 feet, by his estimate. He also said the first plan to rescue the car involved a forklift, but there was nothing to hook on to.
Gagnon also said he didn’t think there would be damage to buildings in the park, as they were on higher ground than the roadway. However, he did express surprise about the scale of the flooding.
“This is the first time I’ve seen it this bad here, in 30 years,” said Gagnon.
“Ever since the industrial park has been built, this is the worst it has ever been.”
As for how the municipality is handling the situation, workers from the City of Lloydminster were observed by 106.1 The Goat along multiple flooded roadways. A full update from the City has not yet been issued, but it was recommended to drivers in the city to avoid driving into flooded areas. A media availability has been roughly scheduled for 2:30 p.m. this afternoon.
The severe thunderstorm warning for Lloydminster and the surrounding area has been lifted. The rainfall warning remains in place.