Flash floods hit Alberta and Saskatchewan, closing Trans-Canada Highway

States of emergency were declared following heavy rains that led to floods in Southern Alberta and Saskatchewan, forcing the evacuation of hundreds of homes and causing a sinkhole on the Trans-Canada Highway.
As much as 150 millimetres of rain fell in several regions of the Prairies over the weekend of June 19, extending into the early week, ctv.ca reported. The system moved further into Alberta, flooding areas around Medicine Hat and Lethbridge.
On the morning of June 20, about five kilometres of the Trans-Canada Highway at the Alberta-Saskatchewan border were closed due to flooding. A culvert along the stretch of highway collapsed, causing a giant sinkhole just outside of Maple Creek, Sask., reported cbc.ca.
In previous floods, the South Saskatchewan River overran its banks, limiting damage to streets bordering the river. “This time, the small creeks that feed the river have overflowed, stretching into torrential rivers, backing up sewer systems and flooding city streets,” wrote the Montreal Gazette.
Alberta Environment Minister Rob Renner said that because the floods were not the type in which the water rises slowly, but rather flash floods, sandbagging efforts would do little to nothing to protect properties.