Record rainfall from three massive storms wreaked havoc in Toronto, causing widespread flooding, power outages, and stranding drivers on major roadways.
According to Environment Canada, nearly 100mm (4in) of rain fell on the city on Tuesday, breaking a daily record set back in 1941. Images and videos circulating on social media showed cars submerged in water, Union Station’s staircases turned into waterfalls, and streets transformed into rivers.
Toronto Hydro reported that over 167,000 customers were left without power as a result of the storms. Flights were delayed or cancelled at Billy Bishop Airport on the Toronto Islands, and the Don Valley Parkway and Ontario Highway 410 were both closed due to flooding.
Emergency services were busy rescuing stranded individuals, including one person who had to be rescued from the roof of their car. The fire service received numerous calls from people trapped in lifts when the city centre lost power during working hours.
Meteorologists attributed the record rainfall to three consecutive storms hitting the city. Dave Phillips, a meteorologist, stated that the city received 25% more rain in three hours than it typically would in the entire month of July.
The Toronto and Region Conservation Authority issued warnings about flooding near shorelines, rivers, and streams in the city, emphasizing the vulnerability of Toronto to rising water levels due to its numerous waterways.
Mayor Olivia Chow expressed concern over the delayed closure of the flood-prone Don Valley Parkway and assured residents that the city was investing heavily in clean-up efforts to prevent similar incidents in the future.
This recent storm brought back memories of a costly July storm in 2013, which left hundreds of thousands without power and required the rescue of over 1,000 passengers from a flooded train. Toronto continues to grapple with the challenges of extreme weather events and their impact on the city.
