Snow melt floods Calgary streets

Rapidly melting snow is flooding some streets and basements in Calgary.

Up to 30 centimetres of snow fell on the weekend and the temperature is set to rise to 15 C by this coming Sunday, according to Environment Canada.

The slower the weather warms up, the better, said Bill Boyes, a spokesman with Calgary's water services.

"A gradual warm, that's what really we're hoping for, but we're ready for anything," he said. "Whatever we need, we'll throw that at the problem."

In the first 24 hours of the warm-up after the weekend's snowfall, the city dealt with 174 calls of flooded catch basins.

Brian McAsey, a spokesman with the fire department, said homeowners should plan ahead to avoid basement flooding, clearing the snow away from foundations and ensuring all downspouts point away from homes.

Sales are up 25 per cent at Western Pump, which sells flood protection supplies.

"Well I know it's sadistic but yes, I get very excited in the morning when I see the sunshine," said operations manager Dennis Herr.