Severe storm on Canada Day, some of the worst flooding seen in years
Posted Jul 2, 2026 09:20:29 AM.
Last Updated Jul 2, 2026 02:47:56 PM.
Officials are mobilizing all efforts to help impacted residents after brief but intense rainfall quickly swept over Ottawa on Canada Day.
According to the city’s Mayor, Mark Sutcliffe, who spoke to the public on Thursday, he recognized how impactful the storm on July 1 was and the level of damage seen across the municipality.
Although numbers are still being crunched, Sutcliffe called the incident “One of the worst flooding events in our city in the last 25 years.”
“(The) storm brought up many memories of the derecho, seeing downed trees, power outages and flooded roads, “he said. ” This is unsettling, stressful, and for some it can be generally triggering.”
Intense flooding closed roads, cancelled Canada Day celebrations and set a new rainfall record on Wednesday in Ottawa. Firefighters responded to over 700 reports of downed wires and electrical hazards, officials detailed.
Photos and videos from residents showed roads completely underwater, and in some portions of the city, water crept halfway up vehicles parked on streets.
According to Environment Canada’s data, 118.4 millimetres of precipitation fell on Canada Day. This is about double the previous record — 58.9 mm — that was first set in 1959 at the Ottawa International Airport.
The city confirms it received 1,900 reports of flooded basements in the hours after the rain. Sutcliffe said in the coming weeks he’s working with council to put a temporary waiver on permits for people needing to rebuild their basements from the event. For areas clearing debris, in the coming days the garbage limit will be lifted and extra collection days are being planned.
Power for some could be restored in days
A smattering of power outages were reported across the city on Thursday morning. Parts of Nepean, Kanata and Bells Corners felt the impact as the storm slammed into the city.
Officials said that at the peak, more than 36,000 households were without power. On Thursday, 5,300 households were still without power, but Hydro Ottawa noted it is working hard to restore the addresses.
Over 1,000 people are without power near the Queensway Carleton Hospital; Bryce Conrad, CEO of Hydro Ottawa, said at the press conference. There is submerged hydro equipment near the area due to the flooding, and the two options are to pump it out or wait for it to recede, both of which take time.
Beacon-Hill Cyrville Councillor Tim Tierney told CityNews in an email that hydro crews are getting power back up across his ward from the storm.
“There are a lot of trees down on houses and power lines,” he said. “I want to make sure we have tree trimming; we have tree chipping and dispose of those branches as well with additional garbage in my area.”
Photos from the councillor showed one vehicle with a tree smashed into the windshield and large debris across roadways.
“There is a tremendous amount of debris and damage on my street. A car even has a complete city tree that had fallen on it that has now been taken away,” Tierney said.
The torrential deluge happened just after Prime Minister Mark Carney gave a speech to thousands gathered to celebrate the country’s 159th birthday. He finished just moments before a prolonged storm cancelled official events, including the evening fireworks.
Extreme flooding in Ottawa’s west end near IKEA. And just south of Bayshore mall. pic.twitter.com/v6aB35ENtI
— SM Design (@scotmccormack) July 1, 2026
#ONStorm #Ottawa #Nepean Stormwater pond/creek near Colonnade Road in Ottawa. Almost as high as pedestrian bridge. Creek is roaring, 2nd storm system blowing through presently. pic.twitter.com/9KUbEZ8Rnr
— Sour Lauer (@KLLauer) July 1, 2026
Flooding on our street and side street. The water is at the sidewalk level!! pic.twitter.com/TqqVxdHBRT
— Jacqueline Roy (she/her) (@jacroy67) July 1, 2026
