Storm in Toronto cuts power to at least 45,000 customers — Al Jazeera English
A powerful thunderstorm swept over Canada’s largest city, Toronto, causing flooding, damage to buildings, road closures and power outages. As Al Jazeera English reports, as of 20:00 on Wednesday, at least 45,000 Toronto Hydro customers remained without electricity.
Flooded roads and emergency services
The severe weather was accompanied by heavy rainfall, strong winds and large hail. Tornado watches and warnings were issued in some areas.
Roads in the city, including the Don Valley Parkway, were closed because of fallen trees and flooding. Images published by CBC show cars that were almost completely submerged in Vaughan, north of Toronto.
More current news is available on the UA.News Telegram channel Telegram.
Toronto Mayor Olivia Chow said the city’s emergency operations centre had been activated in the morning. According to her, city services responded to downed power lines, fallen trees and flooding. The Toronto Transit Commission was working to restore service where it had been disrupted by flooding and debris scattered by strong winds.
Flights and hospital
The emergency department of Michael Garron Hospital in the East York area was also affected by flooding. Dozens of evening flights at Toronto Pearson Airport were delayed or cancelled.
Canada’s weather service, Environment and Climate Change Canada, lifted the orange severe thunderstorm warning for the Greater Toronto Area. At the same time, a yellow warning for heat and severe thunderstorms remained in place in parts of southwestern Ontario.
