ST. JOHN'S, N.L. — A heavy snowfall with a quick changeover to heavy rain wreaked havoc on the northeast Avalon Sunday, causing multiple motor-vehicle collisions and then widespread flooding.
The RCMP reported multiple collisions on the Trans-Canada Highway between the Witless Bay Line and Butter Pot Park before the changeover to rain and were advising motorists of heavy water buildup after the changeover.
Witless Bay Line remains closed to traffic.
As the rain ended, the temperature dropped, leaving much of the region blanketed in a thick layer of ice. Icy road conditions have led the NL English School District to have a delayed opening for a handful of schools in the Conception Bay North Area. Check the NLESDA school status report for more information.
Lots of salt trucks and equipment out on provincial highways.
— Transportation and Works NL (@TW_GovNL) February 3, 2020
Crews reporting icy patches on some highways. Drive cautiously this morning.
Witless Bay Line remains closed. #nltraffic pic.twitter.com/gO3mLH4OWQ
As the rain started to melt the new snow, clogged storm sewers caused the runoff to pool and caused traffic problems when vehicles stalled trying to get through the deep pools of water. The bridge at Dunn’s Road in Mount Pearl flooded as did Topsail Road at Corisande Street.
#nlwx #nltraffic @EddieSheerr pic.twitter.com/nvU6J39NWx
— Tyson Bromley (@TysonBromley1) February 3, 2020
Reports also indicated flooding in the downtown St. John’s area and the Allandale Road near Long Pond was closed due to high water levels.
Cars stalled on bridge at Allendale take other routes pic.twitter.com/aQH8yytAt2
— Russell Wangersky (@Wangersky) February 3, 2020
Council trucks for both cities were out in force trying to clear the storm sewers and by 8 p.m., most areas saw some relief from the flooding.
A shot of Garrison Hill, now Garrison River on the way home. pic.twitter.com/huyodLAtJF
— Darrell Power (@DarrellPowerNL) February 2, 2020
Water Street West#nltraffic #nlwx pic.twitter.com/M8HYKMy02K
— JLaC (@JLaC975) February 2, 2020
Tonight we surf the streets of St. John’s, tomorrow we skate them.
— Douglas Pawson (@douglaspawson) February 2, 2020
I need to learn to surf and skate...#nlwx pic.twitter.com/Mqe69462xX