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Wednesday’s extreme weather caused the cancellation of Ottawa’s evening Canada Day activities, including the fireworks display, as homes flooded, roads were closed and thunderstorms led to power outages.
“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,” Canadian Heritage wrote.
By 5.45 p.m., 99 millimeters of rain had been reported at Ottawa International Airport, Environment Canada reported, with further rain and thunderstorms forecast in the evening.
Earlier in the afternoon, Canadian Heritage had advised that activities at LeBreton Flats Park, Old Hull, Parliament Hill and in front of the Supreme Court of Canada had been suspended.
At LeBreton Flats Park and Parliament Hill, electronic billboards advised attendees to seek shelter. As heavy rain and winds lashed the area, people ran to vacate the park, video posted online showed.
Snowbirds performance
The Canadian Forces Snowbirds cancelled all further flights on what was to have been their last Canada Day performance.
The group had earlier posted that they hoped a gap in the weather would allow them to perform their Parliament Hill flyover but just before 5 p.m. confirmed it was cancelled.
“We know how much this day means to so many of you, and we’re disappointed we couldn’t take to the skies over the capital this Canada Day,” the group wrote on Facebook.
This was set to be the last Canada Day performance for the iconic aerobatic show, as its aging fleet is being grounded.
Flooding
Flooding has closed Woodroffe Avenue between Knoxdale Road and Norice Street, the Ottawa Police posted online. They also asked people to avoid the following locations in the city’s west-end:
- Corkstown Road and Creekwood Crescent.
- Greenbank and Banner roads.
- Woodroffe Avenue and Knoxdale Road.
- Moodie Drive and Highway 417 at the ramp.
- Richmond and Holly Acres roads.
- Highway 416 northbound from West Hunt Club Road to the Highway 417 split.
As of 8:40 p.m., Highway 417 westbound was closed at Moodie Drive due to cleanup following flooding, according to the Ontario Provincial Police (OPP). Highway 416 northbound to 417 westbound was also closed. Motorists were asked to avoid the area.
Earlier Highway 417 had been closed to westbound traffic at Pinecrest Avenue before reopening by 5:10 p.m., OPP said.
“Heavy rainfall is causing localized flooding across Ottawa, resulting in hazardous driving conditions and road closures in some areas,” the police said, advising against “unnecessary travel until conditions improve.”
Hydro Ottawa and Hydro One also reported power outages across the city, due to inclement weather and thunderstorms. The public can check the outage maps of the respective utilities for more information.
As of 6:20 p.m.:
- Hydro Ottawa was reporting 29,000 customers affected by outages.
- Hydro One was reporting 20,000 customers affected by outages in its East region.
“Crews have been deployed to assess damage and restore power where it is safe to do so,” Hydro Ottawa wrote.
Ottawa Police and the utility reminded the public to treat disabled traffic lights as four-way stops.
OC Transpo has posted about some routes which are on detours. The most recent information is posted on its alerts page.
A spokesperson told CBC that, as of 5:10 p.m., there are no LRT stations where service was disrupted by flooding. It said there was limited flooding at Heron station that was not affecting service.
The National Capital Region has been under varying heat and thunderstorm advisories from Environment Canada since Tuesday. A tornado warning was briefly issued for around Gananoque, Ont., around 8 p.m.
