Waskesiu flash flood unlike anything locals have seen

Donna Pearson’s cabin is located near the bottom of a hill in one the affected areas. The water flowed right past her property on Friday as it moved toward the lake.

While pointing up her street at the top of the hill, she said, “The water was running right from the top underneath all the cabins … On one road it was running eight feet across, just a whole trough,” she said, describing the situation on a nearby street.

She went out to have a look at the scene and saw that the water was well above her ankles. It was something Pearson, a 65-year park veteran, had never seen before. But there were other strange sights in Waskesiu on Friday.

One of Pearson’s neighbours, Randy Kershaw, couldn’t believe what happened at a nearby park, “There was a gentleman and his 13-year-old son canoeing down in the park behind the community hall and his son caught a fish, on the grass. Somehow it had swum back up into the park with all that rain and there it was.”

It was a popular place on Friday, said Pearson, who saw other canoeists and kayakers taking advantage of the rare opportunity to paddle across the park.

Another fish caused some excitement when it was spotted on Waskesiu Drive by Chamber of Commerce assistant manager Sarah Punshon.

As of Saturday afternoon the water was subsiding but there was still evidence of the Friday flood.

The Waskesiu Lawn Bowling Green was half-covered with water, although Wilson said it was completely underwater when the water was at its peak.

The intersection of Waskesiu Drive and Lakeview Drive was still inundated with water. Pedestrians were taking off their shoes and socks before crossing the street and vehicles were swerving to avoid deep puddles and running water.

But Wilson said he hadn’t heard any reports of flood damage and expected that it would be business as usual within a few days.

According to Environment Canada, 124.2 of mm rain had fallen at Waskesiu Lake between Thursday morning and 3 p.m. on Saturday.

If you have photos or videos of flooding caused by the heavy rain over the last several days send them to news@panow.com.

sleslie@panow.com

On Twitter: @_seanleslie

by Sean Leslie

Waskesiu flash flood unlike anything locals have seen

What's Trending