Full Breakdown
Heavy Rainstorms Flood Southern Saskatchewan, Prompting Sinkhole Crisis
9/9/2026, 2:54:20 PM
Core Event: Flooding and Sinkhole Damage Across Regina and Weyburn
Over the Labour-Day long weekend, southern Saskatchewan experienced an extreme rain event that dumped roughly 100 millimetres of precipitation on Regina and Weyburn. The deluge overwhelmed municipal drainage, caused localized flooding, closed underpasses, and forced traffic restrictions on Ring Road. In the northwest part of Regina a sinkhole near Rochdale Park expanded dramatically after the city learned of its existence earlier in the month but could not repair it before the storm hit.
Official Statements & Responses
City of Regina water, waste and environment director Carolyn Kalim said the storm represented a “one-in-50-year” event for the affected area and that the existing wastewater and storm-water infrastructure was not designed for such flow levels. She confirmed that a bypass at the Garnett Street lift station was activated, that emergency crews are working to stabilize the sinkhole, and that a full repair timeline has not yet been set.
Data & Statistics
- Rainfall: ~100 mm recorded by Environment and Climate Change Canada and the Community Collaborative Rain, Hail, and Snow Network.
- Distance: Weyburn lies about 103 km southeast of Regina.
- Infrastructure impact: Bypass at Garnett Street lift station, flooded underpasses, Ring Road restrictions, and a sinkhole that grew from a low-lying area into a visible depression.
Impact on Residents
Neighborhoods near the sinkhole reported water pooling for years before the event, and residents described the sudden expansion as “a neighbourhood swimming pool.” Business owners in Weyburn, such as Gale Regines of the Meok Ja Milk Tea Bar, saw floodwater enter through the back door, noting the irony of being adjacent to a pump service that could assist. Other locals expressed shock at the scale of damage and the challenges of rapid municipal response.
Verbatim Quotes
- “We are looking at a one-in-50-year storm event in the northwest area of the city,” — Carolyn Kalim, director of water, waste and environment for the City of Regina
- “I’ve seen the sinkholes on the news before, but not in front of my house,” — Rochdale Park
- “It was low here for years and the water just sat there. I don’t know if that contributed to it.” — Carolyn Kalim, director of water, waste and environment for the City of Regina
- “We’ve got our own little neighbourhood swimming pool now.” — Carolyn Kalim, director of water, waste and environment for the City of Regina
- “Everybody said that's an irony, we're beside a pump store that can help us.” — Regina. Gale Regines
