'More rain than I've experienced': Thunderstorm floods some Charlottetown streets

Some Charlottetown streets turned into rivers Tuesday morning, as a quick and powerful thunderstorm struck the Island capital.

City public works officialssay crewshad cleared debris away fromcatch basins in anticipation of the heavy rain.But along some streets, the stormproved to be too much.

"We had a 25-minute spell where we had more rain than I'veexperienced for sure," said Joe MacKinnon, Charlottetown's assistant manager of public works.

"Our problem today was the aftermath of Dorian and having all the extra leaves and debris on the roads.Itplugged our catch basins."

In total, close to50 millimetres of rain fell on the city from the early morning to late afternoon much of that during the intense thunderstorm.

Kels Smith shared this video of trying to get out the front door on Queen Street in Charlottetown. (Kels Smith)

MacKinnon said despite the flooding, only a couple of downtown streets had to be closed for a short period of time.

He said city crews were quick to clear the plugged catchbasins in flooded areas, which allowed the water to subside.

A reader submitted this video of Terry Fox Drive in Charlottetown taken Tuesday morning. (Submitted)

The downpour also led to a lot of flowing muddy water through sections of the new Cornwall bypass, which are still construction.

Despite that, in a statement, P.E.I.'s Transportation Department said, "The recent construction is holding up well and we do not expect the water will have any negative environmental impacts as there are environmental controls in place."

There is more heavy rain in the forecast across the province.

As of 4 p.m. Tuesday, Environment Canada still had a rainfall warning in effect, with more thundershowers and another 10-20 millimetres possible Tuesday night.

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