Water Main Break Floods Northwest Calgary, Stranding Cars
On Tuesday night, significant flooding occurred in Calgary’s Bowness neighbourhood, affecting traffic and stranding vehicles. The incident involved seven cars that required assistance, prompting the Calgary Fire Department to rescue 13 individuals from the area.
Possible Water Main Break in Calgary
Authorities suspect a water main break could be responsible for the flooding along 16th Avenue N.W. The Calgary Police Service and firefighters quickly responded to the emergency, which centered around the CP rail bridge near 69th Street N.W. Trevor Sommerfeld, acting battalion chief with the Calgary Fire Department, indicated that while the cause remains unverified, the flooding was significant.
Details of the Incident
- Location: 16th Avenue N.W., Bowness neighbourhood, Calgary
- Time: Tuesday night
- Number of stranded vehicles: 7
- People rescued: 13
- Areas affected: Two westbound lanes obstructed; full closure of 16th Avenue
Sommerfeld noted that flooding conditions were heavy underneath the bridge, affecting two of the four lanes. The police closed the westbound lanes between Home Road and Sarcee Trail, anticipating that the closures would last several hours.
Comparison with Previous Incidents
This incident comes just months after a major water main break in June 2024, which placed the city’s water supply in a critical state. The earlier break triggered a local emergency and resulted in water restrictions lasting several months. While the water volume from the current situation is significant, Sommerfeld believes it does not compare to the severity of the flooding caused by the 2024 break.
The city’s waterworks team has been deployed to the scene to investigate the cause of the current flooding. Residents are urged to avoid the area and await further updates from the city.
