Heavy rain causing localized flooding in Fort McMurray

Heavy rainsin Fort McMurray, Alta., havecaused flooded streets and knocked out traffic lights, forcing the Regional Municipality of Wood Buffalo to activate its emergency operations centre for the first time since parts of the city were devastated by a wildfire in May.

The municipalityisadvising people to restrict travel in the town, as the localized flooding causes the closure of major roads such as Gregoire Drive and Mackenzie Boulevard.

City municipal crews are working in drainage trucks to suck up the water, but Environment Canada anticipates the rainfall to continue for most of the day.

"Residents whose properties have been susceptible to basement flooding in the past should ensure any valuables are stored in a safe place," the municipality wrote on Twitter.

"Barricades have been placed on the roads for your protection. If you encounter a barricade, we encourage residents to go another way."

Worst in 20 years

Brenda Toutant, who has lived in the community for 40 years, says she only remembers it being thisbad once before, two decadesago.

"It's crazy. There's a car down the road that keeps floating," she said. "The front two tires are on the ground I think but the back is moving as trucks go by," she said.

The floodingcomes just months after the entire city of90,000 people wasforced to evacuate as a massive wildfire boredown.Toutantsaid 2016 has been a tough year for her community, from fires to floods.

"I really wish Mother Nature would have sent the rain before the fires, but, you know,it is what it is."

At one point, the water roseso high at her Grey Crescent home she thought it would swamp her friend's car parked in the driveway.

Two boys had to go fetch the car's keys from a neighbour.

"They went over in a boat ... because he couldn't get across, and I moved the car," said Toutant.

Jet Skis on GregoireDrive

Meanwhile, at least one person took theopportunity to Jet Skiin the downtown.

TyroneKendall, 18,said that he was dared by his friends to do it and sohe did. He took his Jeep and trailer with his Jet Ski on it and unloaded the vehicle into aflooded streetin front of a McDonald's in theGregoire neighbourhood.

Not too many people can say they rodetheir Jet-Skis on GregoireDrive.- TyroneKendall

"The rain wasstill pouring down, the water was pretty cold," Kendall said.

"I wasn't too worried about wiping out, it was probably about four and half feet [1.3 metres] of water.I only rodeit for four or five laps, five minutes tops, I got out of therequickly as the vac trucks were coming in.I didn't want to interfere."

"It's just ... not too many people can say they rodetheir Jet Skison GregoireDrive."