Severe rainstorms in Toronto, Canada’s financial hub, have resulted in widespread flash flooding, power outages, traffic delays, and airline service disruptions. Numerous online videos show public spaces submerged in water, demonstrating the extent of the flood.
On Tuesday, Toronto experienced dispersed power outages, which were thought to be the result of flooding at a transmission station. At around 3 p.m. local time, Toronto Hydro, the city’s power distribution company, reported that about 123,000 customers were without power. The flooding also affected Billy Bishop Airport, which is located on an island near downtown Toronto. The pedestrian tunnel leading to the passenger terminal was flooded, causing temporary closures and some flight delays or cancellations.
In downtown Toronto, many busy restaurants lost power, forcing staff to wait outside until it was restored. Traffic lights were out in parts of the city, causing traffic jams as cars and delivery trucks clogged the streets and intersections. The Toronto Transit Commission, which runs the city’s subway, bus, and trolley services, announced that trains were skipping Union Station, the main rail terminal, due to flooding. Go Transit, which operates train services to and from Toronto’s suburbs, also reported service disruptions.
The Don Valley Parkway, a major highway east of downtown, transformed into a river-like scene soon after the heavy rains began. Toronto police reported that sections of the Don Valley Parkway were closed because of flooding, as well as portions of Lakeshore Boulevard, which runs along Lake Ontario. Images showed vehicles stalled in brownish waters several feet deep.
Although the rains ceased around midday, Environment Canada predicted partly cloudy skies for the remainder of the day. Toronto Mayor Olivia Chow, in a televised briefing, stated that emergency services remained operational despite some water infiltration in parts of City Hall.
Toronto Fire Services conducted rescues for individuals trapped in vehicles on the flooded highway. Deputy Fire Chief Jim Jessop explained the need for triaging based on life safety. Among those rescued was Tima Nizomov, who had been stranded in his car and awaited rescue by firefighters.
At Union Station, a key transit hub in downtown Toronto, flooding led to water pooling on concourse floors and temporary closures of stores within the station. The PATH network, an underground complex of retail and restaurants connected to Union Station, also faced closures and power outages.
The Toronto Transit Commission stated that subway trains were not stopping at Union Station, and several transit buses and streetcars were rerouted due to localized flooding. The flooding also impacted other parts of the Toronto region, with provincial police issuing warnings about flooded highways and local police advising caution.
The Toronto and Region Conservation Authority advised that shorelines, rivers, and streams should be considered hazardous, reporting that over 10 cm (4 inches) of rain fell in some areas.
